May 23, 2013
New Zealand hopes to get the trade relationship with China running smoothly again after meat exports were held up at Chinese wharves, the head of New Zealand's farm industry body said on May 22.
Bruce Wills, president and trade spokesperson of Federated Farmers of New Zealand, said that he had been in contact with New Zealand Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, who said that chilled meat was now entering the Chinese market and frozen produce should start moving in the next few days.
The delay was caused by confusion about a name change on New Zealand export documents, after the former Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which had previously issued them, was merged with two other agencies to become the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in March.
"I'm advised that all the correct documentation is now in the hands of the Chinese authorities," Wills said.
New Zealand farmers regard trade with China as crucial, especially after China became New Zealand's biggest export market in the first quarter of 2013.
"I hope this is just a technical bump in the chain," said Wills. "Obviously these hiccups unsettle our farming producers, so let's hope it's a one-time occurrence."
He added that the delay would cause some costs, which would ultimately be borne by the farmers, but these would be minimal if the issue was resolved in the next few days.
Asked if farmers were angry with the New Zealand government over the failure to properly inform Chinese authorities of the name change, Wills said he was picking up "some frustration" that the delay had been allowed to reach this point.
"It's not something that farmers like to see and we would hope that we won't look to repeat it," he said.
Wills hoped the problem would not disrupt trade links developed under the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement signed in 2008, which had benefited both countries.
"It certainly unsettles both parties, and that's not good when we're trying to build a solid and reliable relationship," he said.
