Editorial: We are Trumped
OPINION: Nothing it seems can be done in the short term to get Donald Trump to change his mind about removing the unfair 15% tariffs that he’s imposed on New Zealand exports to the US.
Dairy, kiwifruit, apples, cherries and wine are among winners in the "spectacular" growth in exports to Chinese Taipei in the last two years, says Trade Minister Tim Groser.
New Zealand's goods and services exports to Chinese Taipei have increased in value by 22% from $987 million a year when the agreement came into force, to $1.5 billion in the year ended June 2015, he says.
The Economic Cooperation Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu (ANZTEC) entered into force in December 2013.
"New Zealand exporters are reaping the benefits of preferential tariff access to Chinese Taipei," says Groser.
"As of June 2015, exports of New Zealand apples to Chinese Taipei are now worth $40 million, up by over 200% since June 2013. Apples previously had a tariff of 20%, which was eliminated on entry into force.
"There has also been significant improvement in cherry exports (up 150% since 2013) and kiwifruit exports (up 24%).
"Dairy exports, New Zealand's largest export to Chinese Taipei, have grown 21% in value since June 2013, and now total $350 million a year. The 10% tariff on milk power and 5% tariff on butter were eliminated on entry into force.
"Exports of New Zealand wine to Chinese Taipei have grown 56% to $1.3 million. The 10% tariff on non-sparkling wine and 20% tariff on sparkling wine were eliminated on entry-into-force.
"These early results are extremely encouraging and will build jobs and more opportunities, particularly in regional and provincial New Zealand, where the production of cherries, apples and kiwifruit – all of which recorded spectacular gains – are concentrated.
"These extremely positive early results gives us confidence that Free Trade Agreements, Closer Economic Partnership Agreements and broad, comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreements like this one are all steps towards a more prosperous New Zealand."
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
'Common sense' cuts to government red tape will make it easier for New Zealand to deliver safe food to more markets.
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