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FTA Study with Japan is Good News
NEW ZEALAND - Meat & Wool New Zealand Chairman Mike Petersen is very pleased with the announcement that Japan has agreed to enter into a study analysing the potential benefits that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could bring to the two countries.Speaking from Japan where he is attending the Japan/New Zealand Partnership Forum, Mr Petersen said this was a position New Zealand has been working towards for a long time.
"It's great news and a real achievement because it wasn't expected that Japan would be willing to move on the issue at this time, even though we have been working hard to strengthen relations between our two countries.
"While the Japanese beef industry may be cautious about this announcement, there is only a very small proportion of grain-fed beef produced in New Zealand. While the Japanese market is important to New Zealand grain-fed beef, Meat & Wool New Zealand has also promoted the attributes of New Zealand’s grass-fed beef. Most of our beef is produced on natural free-range farming systems which appeals to a growing number of Japanese consumers."
Japan is currently the third most valuable market for New Zealand beef just behind South Korea. New Zealand exported 33,000 tonnes of beef to Japan in 2007, worth approximately NZ$170 million.
Mr Petersen said it was now extremely important for New Zealand and Japan to make progress moving towards a FTA, given that Australia has already commenced negotiations with Japan.
"Japan has high tariffs on beef, and it is vital that New Zealand exporters are not disadvantaged through preferential access granted to competitors."
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