Working hard on a deal

Bernard Savage, who spent a day at Fieldays, told Rural News that papers have been prepared and exchanged and he expects the FTA negotiations to be “fairly intense”.

“People ask how quickly will we finish the talks, but I always say the objective is not to finish quickly but to get the best deal possible as quickly as possible.

“A lot of scoping has been done, we have had regular trade talks and so we have a lot of themes on which we will be negotiating formally. We are all familiar with the issues.”

Important to the FTA negotiations will be getting feedback from farming groups, business councils, exporters, chambers of commerce and the wider community including non-government organisations.

“That is very important; we are not doing this in a vacuum. The object is to improve trade between the EU and NZ – also jobs, regional development and labour standards -- so we need maximum input. 

“We are open to hearing from anyone who has a cogent view on where we should be going.” 

Savage says while the formal meeting between Commissioner Malmström and NZ ministers is important, so is getting feedback from interested parties.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor is also upbeat about the prospects of securing an FTA with the EU. 

He says NZ has worked hard preparing for the negotiations and has adjusted its trade agenda -- a positive move in the eyes of the EU.

“It’s trade for all,” O’Connor says.  “We appreciate that the benefits of trade have to filter right through to everyone and not remain at the top. I think that’s what the Europeans have been wanting to hear, so that when we negotiate it’s for the good of all the people in all the countries.”