NOTE: The byline on this release has been corrected.

Friday 28 June 2003

EU CAP Reform - "Bring it on!"

If the European Union's reform of its Common Agricultural Policy lives up to the billing it's been receiving in Europe it is tremendous news said Trade Liberalisation Network, Executive Director, Suse Reynolds today.

"It's no exaggeration to say that the world has been waiting for meaningful reform of the EU's agricultural regime for years," she said.

"It's particularly great news for New Zealanders because it should mean movement in the agricultural negotiations which form part of the latest multilateral trade round."

Lack of progress in agriculture has been blamed for minimal progress in almost all other areas of the Doha Development Agenda.

"The results of last trade round poured billions of dollars into our economy and delivered thousands of jobs for New Zealanders. The Doha round now has much better prospects of doing the same," Reynolds added.

But Reynolds also sounded a note of caution.

"While we must acknowledge that this is a major shake up for Europe, closer examination will be necessary to determine the extent to which New Zealand exporters will benefit. How much more competitive it will make New Zealand products and even more critically does this signal the prospect of greater market access for New Zealand and other countries to European markets?" she queried.

© Scoop Media