The government launched a refreshed trade policy “Trade Agenda 2030” for the seafood industry last week which was welcomed by the industry. Tim Pankhurst, Seafood New Zealand Chief Executive, said export trade was extremely important for the seafood industry with exports across a diverse range of products sitting at $1.8 billion for 2016. “We appreciate the work the government has been doing in securing free trade agreements (FTAs) with our trading partners and the target to have 90 percent of New Zealand exports covered by FTAs by 2030 is worthy,” Pankhurst added. “We also applaud the recognition by government that, as tariffs reduce through FTAs, other barriers to trade are emerging,” Pankhurst continued. “That there is significant work to be undertaken on non-trade barriers (NTBs) is to be congratulated,” Pankhurst said. Cross-agency collaboration and coordination was critically important and the seafood industry was looking forward to being actively involved through its membership of the newly formed Ministerial Advisory Group and other relevant agencies, Pankhurst explained. “In an increasingly protectionist world we welcome all efforts to ease barriers to trade, which is so critical for our small nation’s prosperity.”
FRESHER SEAFOOD TRADE
