Benefits of EU trade deal
The European Union Ambassador says the new free trade agreement (FTA) between the bloc and New Zealand will bring significant benefits to both parties.
OPINION: Since the announcement of the trade agreement between NZ and the EU there has been considerable outcry.
Some farming leaders in the dairy and sheep & beef sectors argue that NZ should not have signed the deal, but soldiered on to get a better one. Fair comment perhaps, but remember there are other primary sector people - notably those in the horticulture sector - who are smiling at the outcome.
To the critics, maybe it's time to take a look at the history books and understand why the EU, or EEC as it was originally known, was created. Put simply, it was to provide food sovereignty or food securityin the economic union.
This was based on the problems that surfaced at the end of WWII when ordindary people - not those in concentration camps - starved to death. The figure of 45,000 in the Netherlands is one that comes to mind.
There was also an element in the EEC charter of creating political stability in Europe and using trade as a conduit for this.
So, as we have learned, sport and politics are inseparable and so is trade and politics - to suppose otherwise is naïve. Hence in the end, it was the politicians who made the final call to accept the EU's offer.
This NZ/EU FTA is a reflection of history. What we saw in the negotiations was a position taken by the EU that differed little in theory from when we first began negotiating with it back in 1973. While NZ is seen as a friend, it is not a blood relation and, as they say, 'charity begins at home'.
The EU has always prioritised its own electorally important farmers over countries like ours, who would like the largest possible slice of their affluent market.
Sure, the deal is not perfect and no one thought it would be as good as the UK FTA. But we do have a deal and an enshrined political relationship with one of the powerhouse economic regions in the world.
When Britain joined the EU, we had to find alternative markets and were very succesful in doing so. It is arguably much harder today with Covid and a very uncertain and somewhat frightening geopolitical situation. But people have to eat and we produce some of the best food in the world in a sustainable way, so there is hope.
The time has come to accept what we have got and move on as we have always done.
More bull breeders are using genetic tools according to the latest research.
Females are dominating the veterinary profession worldwide and many farmers are welcoming this change in the composition of the profession, says Britain's Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Professor Christine Middlemiss.
A five-year randomised survey of herbicide resistance on New Zealand arable farms has found widespread high levels of resistance - with 71% of farms affected in the worst-hit region - South Canterbury.
OPINION: The recent Federated Farmers / Rabobank 2024 Farming Salaries Report revealed strong growth in farm salaries over the past two years.
The low unemployment environment is one of the key factors driving on-farm salaries higher over the past 24 months, says Rabobank general manager for country banking Bruce Weir.
Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.
OPINION: This old mutt well remembers the wailing, whining and gnashing of teeth by former West Coast MP and Labour…
OPINION: Your canine crusader gets a little fed up with the some in media, union hacks, opposition politicians and hard-core…