Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Tariff cuts great news for exporters
Hon Nathan Guy
Minister for Primary Industries
1 December 2013
Media Statement
Tariff
cuts great news for exporters
Primary
Industries Minister Nathan Guy is welcoming major cuts in
tariffs for many exporters today, as the Economic
Cooperation Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu
(Chinese Taipei) comes into effect.
“From today tariffs
are removed from milk powder, cheese, butter, apple, cherry
and wine exports to Chinese Taipei,” says Mr Guy.
“This will mean tariff savings of nearly $40m on
current trade. It’s great news for our exporters.
“Tariffs on beef will be eliminated in two years, and
tariffs on kiwifruit in three. In four years, sheep, honey
and most fish product tariffs will be eliminated and 99% of
New Zealand trade to Chinese Taipei will be tariff-free.
“In total, tariffs will be eliminated on 100% of
New Zealand’s current exports in a staged programme over
12 years.”
Mr Guy visited a cherry orchard in Blenheim today that is now harvesting and packing for export.
“Cherryland will be one of the first exporters sending products to Chinese Taipei under the tariff free conditions. This is a great Christmas present for them, their employees and other businesses throughout New Zealand.
“Chinese Taipei is New Zealand’s largest market for cherries. Before today, these exports were charged a tariff of 7.5%, and apples faced a tariff of 20%.
“This is a grassroots example of how free trade deals benefit New Zealand, and particularly the regions. It emphasises the importance of other free trade agreement negotiations, including the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), which could have major benefits to New Zealand.
“Once the Chinese Taipei agreement is fully implemented tariff savings will reach $75m, based on current trade. But given trade can be expected to increase, those savings are likely to be even higher,” says Mr Guy.
Chinese Taipei is New Zealand’s 6th largest market for agricultural products and our 11th largest overall export market.
ENDS
Gordon Campbell: On Why We Can’t Survive Two More Years Of This
Interchurch Bioethics Council: Church Bioethics Agencies Express Dismay at the Rushed Consultation Period for Submissions on the Gene Technology Bill
New Zealand Police: More Than $2.5m Worth Of Assets Restrained In Undeclared Tobacco Case
SPCA: Survey Shows Government Lacks Mandate To Repeal Live Export Ban
Peace Action Ōtautahi: Bridge Of Remembrance Peace Protest
National Wetland Trust: Public Asked To Help Prevent Fires In Wetlands This Summer
Lillian Hanly, RNZ: The Year In Politics - Stories That Dominated The Headlines In 2024
