Beef + Lamb CEO smoothing the way for TPP in Mexico

Beef + Lamb New Zealand CEO smoothing the way for TPP in Mexico

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Dr Scott Champion is in Mexico to talk with Mexican sheep and beef industry interests about the opportunities that will occur when the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is agreed.

Dr Champion is meeting a range of Mexican sheep and beef farmers and representatives from their processing and retail sector to assure them that while he expects that there will be opportunities for New Zealand beef in the Mexican market, the TPP will provide expanded market access for all.

“We want to dispel any myths that New Zealand will swamp the Mexican market with beef. The amount of beef we produce is limited by the land available and production here has been more or less steady over the past 10 years. TPP will not change that,” he said.

The TPP will also provide opportunities to collaborate rather than compete in a world where the demand for protein is increasing.

“The Mexican beef industry has been severely impacted in recent years by drought and there could be opportunities for our two countries as Mexico moves to repopulate its stock.”

“More than anything, this visit is about building a greater understanding of New Zealand’s beef and sheepmeat industries and allaying fears that the TPP would restrict opportunities.”

Dr Champion said Beef + Lamb New Zealand supports a high quality TPP agreement where all tariffs are eliminated and technical trade rules are based on sound science. This will provide all of the partner red meat exporting countries with better market access and the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers which distort trade and disadvantage the consumer.

About Beef + Lamb New Zealand:
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd is the farmer owned industry organisation representing New Zealand’s sheep and beef farmers. Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd invests farmer levies to help develop a growing sheep and beef industry providing sustainable returns for future generations. Beef + Lamb New Zealand has four programmes – Farm, Market, People and Information – to deliver innovative tools and services to support informed decision making, and continuous improvement in market access, product positioning and farming systems for New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector.

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