September 27, 2005

EU raises quota for New Zealand beef exports
 

New Zealand's government has announced that the EU would raise its quota for New Zealand beef exports to the region. The current quota of 300 tonnes for New Zealand's high quality beef would be more than tripled to 1,300 tonnes. Meanwhile, the existing 20 percent in-quota tariff for high quality beef would remain.

The quota increase was reportedly the result of new member countries joining the EU last year, and reflected New Zealand's traditional beef trade with the new EU members.

New Zealand's meat industry has expressed satisfaction at the announcement, as this meant that the country's beef exporters were able to expand their markets after the new EU countries joined the bloc.

Recently, New Zealand's government also announced that the EU would raise the quota access for the country's sheep meat by an additional 1,154 tonnes.

Both increased quotas were reportedly expected to become effective early next year.