Nathan Guy: Independent Chair of Meat Industry Association and Special Agriculture Envoy reacts to National's trade promises

New Zealand's special agricultural envoy says the first steps have already been taken in securing new trade agreements. 

Chris Luxon's promising to attempt seven new deals in five years, if re-elected. 

These are Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association. 

Meat Industry Association Independent Chair Nathan Guy told Ryan Bridge Bangladesh is a very big dairy market - and he reckons it will be the first deal secured. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
National's on a bit of a trade blitz after getting
the Indie FTA across the line. They're wanting to cut
deals with seven new countries, including Brazil, Nigeria, Argentina and more.
Nathan Guys Meat Industry Association, Independent Chare and Special Agricultural
Envoy joins.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
Us this morning. Nathan, good morning, Good morning.

Speaker 1 (00:16):
Right, So after India, who's top of your list? Who
do we want one with?

Speaker 2 (00:21):
I think out of the list that were announced yesterday,
probably Bangladesh is pretty much ready to go. They are
very engage with US. It's a very big dairy market
about three hundred and fifty million at the moment for
Fonti and others, so I think that might be first
cab off the rank. It wouldn't surprise me if North
America and North African countries like Nigeria are also quite

(00:46):
warmed up as well. Switzerland's an interesting one, very high
value market, but small at the moment, so that they
decided with others not to join the EU so they
stand alone. Also with Iceland and lets Line in Norway,
they've set up a little EU Free Trade Association, so

(01:08):
they're keen to go in Switzerland's a part of that,
so I think that'll be interesting. And then if we
look across to South America, some massive economies over there, Brazil,
Argentina and Uruguay big beef producers, quite strong and dairy,
so they are likely to be interested in services in agritech.

Speaker 1 (01:30):
Good thing about this is that it's largely bipartisan free trade,
isn't it.

Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yes, well, we saw that little delay with the Labor
Party on the India FDA. Fortunately over time they decided
it was significant for the New Zealand economy and for
New Zealanders as a whole. We need to remind ourselves
Ryan that these free trade agreements actually benefit every household

(01:58):
in New Zealand are significant. And I think what this
plan has done was announced yesterday to the National Party.
It's got a clear plan of action now all targeted
approach twenty three trade missions over the next term, which
is exciting for business. So I just think now there's
going to be a real crystallizing of minds, a focus

(02:21):
in government with m fat MPI and New Zealand Trade
and Enterprise to work concernedly together on these opportunities.

Speaker 1 (02:31):
Good stuff, Nathan, appreciate your time this morning. Nathan, guy
who is meeting Thry Your Association course former minister as well.

Speaker 2 (02:37):
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