Tag: Sheep and Beef

Peters: Farmers Must Reject Being National’s Doormat

Posted by | May 27, 2016 | , , , , |

Speech – New Zealand First Party Twenty-eight years ago, the late David Lange said: “Farming is a sunset industry and manufacturing and tourism will take its place.”Rt Hon Winston Peters New Zealand First Leader Member of Parliament for Northland 27 MAY 2016 Waikato Federated Farmers, Airport Conference Centre Tamahere, Hamilton 5pm, 27th May, 2016 “Farmers Must Reject Being National’s Doormat” Twenty-eight years ago, the late David Lange said: “Farming is a sunset industry and manufacturing and tourism will take its place.” Yesterday’s Budget resembled nothing so much as a Hollywood film set. Some had star roles and the rest were supporting actors, bit players or crowd scene fill-ins. The budget was totally Auckland-centric with the regions virtually forgotten despite being the economic powerhouses of this country. The Cabinet rank of the Minister for Primary Industries tells you a lot about the modern National Party. The Minister responsible for over 70% of our physical exports is one of Cabinet’s tail-end Charlies. Out of 20 Cabinet Ministers he is ranked 15th. That again came through in the Budget? If Mr Guy did plead for extra dollars for biosecurity, or for agricultural research, he got exactly what his cabinet rank suggests. That’s because whether you believe it or not farmers are looking like an endangered species within National’s urban dominated Cabinet. Nine of Mr Key’s Cabinet come from Auckland with a further...

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Meat exporters ready to reap benefits of TPP

Posted by | Mar 31, 2016 | , , , , , |

Press Release – New Zealand Government The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement eliminates all tariffs on beef into our biggest market, the United States, within five years of coming into force. Hon Todd McClay Minister of Trade 31 March 2016 Meat exporters ready to reap benefits of TPP The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement eliminates all tariffs on beef into our biggest market, the United States, within five years of coming into force. Trade Minister Todd McClay, speaking at the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce this morning, says New Zealand exported meat products worth over $2.8 billion to TPP countries in 2015 and the gains once TPP comes into force will be significant. “Our beef into Japan currently attracts a 38.5 per cent tariff. That has made it extraordinarily hard for our exporters to compete with other countries with lower tariffs. “However the good news is that, under TPP, that tariff will reduce down to nine percent over 16 years – the lowest tariff in any free trade agreement (FTA) Japan has ever allowed on beef. “Tariffs will also be eliminated on beef into Canada within six years, and into Mexico and Peru within 10 and 11 years respectively,” says Mr McClay. Sheepmeat exporters will also see an immediate tariff reduction. “The tariffs on most sheepmeat into TPP countries will be gone immediately and all tariffs will be eliminated within eight...

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Gordon Campbell Fonterra, Affco and Todd Barclay

Posted by | Mar 8, 2016 | , , , |

Column – Gordon Campbell Fonterras explanation for its behavior towards the small firms it engages it has reportedly asked its suppliers to reduce their charges in order to boost efficiency is the sort of behavior you’d expect from Tony Soprano. As in : … Gordon Campbell on the sense of entitlement shared by Fonterra, Affco and Todd Barclay Fonterra’s explanation for its behavior towards the small firms it engages – it has reportedly asked its suppliers to reduce their charges in order ‘to boost efficiency’ – is the sort of behavior you’d expect from Tony Soprano. As in : we sent around Silvio and a couple of the boys and suggested that it would be in their best interest to reconsider their charges… Fonterra has extended by two months the time it takes to pay suppliers, from 30 to 90 days, saying that matches what it does in other countries. It has also asked them to cut their charges, which it says is about boosting efficiency. Yes, that’s exactly what we don’t want to see: our biggest multinational subjecting New Zealand firms to the same practices that Fonterra can get away with in Sri Lanka or Malawi. And using its market dominance to pay its own bills at a pace that forces small local suppliers (ie, electricians and the like) to function as a bank extending a line of...

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Poll shows farmers expect more tough times in 2016

Posted by | Jan 3, 2016 | , |

Press Release – Federated Farmers Many farmers have weathered difficult conditions in 2015 and the majority see no relief coming in the New Year, according to a poll conducted by Federated Farmers.Poll shows farmers expect more tough times in 2016 Many farmers have weathered difficult conditions in 2015 and the majority see no relief coming in the New Year, according to a poll conducted by Federated Farmers. Over 1,100 members were surveyed in the run up to Christmas, with 52% saying they expect market conditions to stay the same. Only 29% predict improving conditions, with 19% forecasting worse times to come. Confidence is greatest among dairy farmers, who are continuing to battle low milk prices. 41% of the dairy farmers surveyed are forecasting improved market conditions compared with 29% overall, 19% for the meat and fibre industry and 17% among arable farmers. “Despite low interest rates and international wins such as TPP, agreement at the WTO to abolish export subsidies and the prioritisation of food production at the COP21 climate change talks that will deliver long term benefits, 2015 will be remembered as a year of low milk prices and adverse events such as droughts and floods that have impacted farmers’ bottom lines and put New Zealand’s biggest sector under enormous pressure,” says Federated Farmers President Dr William Rolleston. “It is encouraging to see relatively higher levels of optimism...

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Poll shows 83% satisfaction with Key Government in 2015

Posted by | Dec 29, 2015 | , |

Press Release – Federated Farmers A poll from Federated Farmers shows 83% satisfaction with the performance of the National-led government among the countrys farmers.Poll shows 83% satisfaction with Key Government in 2015 A poll from Federated Farmers shows 83% satisfaction with the performance of the National-led government among the country’s farmers. Over 1,100 members were surveyed in the run up to Christmas, with only 17% dissatisfied with the performance of the Key government in 2015. “Farmers generally look for governments to manage the economy well, drive positive change on international trade and make pragmatic decisions in other areas, and that’s exactly what we’ve seen this year from Prime Minister Key and his government,” says Federated Farmers President Dr William Rolleston. “83% satisfaction looks spot on when you look at the level of interest rates and key international wins such as TPP, the Paris Climate Change Talks and the WTO’s recent abolition of export tariffs. These are all good outcomes for farmers and stand to enhance New Zealand’s export earnings for many years to come.” While the new emissions reduction targets and weight of developing country support grabbed the headlines around the Paris Agreement, the signing of COP21 was also a significant outcome for farming with recognition that emissions reductions must be weighed up against the food supply required to feed a rapidly growing global population. “This is recognition we...

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