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Trade expert: UK-NZ FTA won't happen any time soon

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 22 Jan 2019, 6:33PM
Despite signing an agreement, one trade expert says the full deal is still days away. (Photo / AP)

Trade expert: UK-NZ FTA won't happen any time soon

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 22 Jan 2019, 6:33PM

Our export body is thrilled a business-as-usual agreement with the UK will patch up any trade problems post-Brexit.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern signed a mutual recognition agreement with Theresa May overnight, to give certainty to exporters that they won't be disadvantaged whatever happens with Brexit.

Export New Zealand's executive director Catherine Beard says it means the certificates and standards we currently use, for example around food safety, will continue to be recognised.

Ardern says we are "ready and willing" to negotiate a free-trade deal with the UK.

Beard told Mike Yardley long term we need that but it'd be optimistic to expect an agreement soon.

"But the reality is that it's never that fast, so I think there's going to be a transition where there is a bit of no man's land coming up."

She says that they still seem to be working on the tariff rate quota issue, which affects our meat and dairy.

"The meat and dairy industries in New Zealand are really keen that those quotes remain in place until such time that we can negotiate a better deal through a free trade agreement."

LISTEN TO CATHERINE BEARD TALK WITH MIKE YARDLEY ABOVE

 

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