Fonterra welcomes progress towards NZ EU FTA
Fonterra has welcomed today’s announcement in Brussels that Prime Minister John Key will begin discussions on a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.
“This is an important first step towards a comprehensive and high-quality free trade agreement with the EU. We have free trade agreements with almost all of our other major trading partners, so this really is the missing piece,” said Miles Hurrell, Group Director of Co-operative Affairs.
“An EU FTA would benefit our New Zealand farmers, as well as being mutually beneficial for dairy players in Europe and New Zealand, and we’re looking forward to working with Government to make progress on this promising start,” he said.
Fonterra has significant investment in operations in Europe and a number of European dairy companies have interests in New Zealand.
“This is the logical next step in New Zealand’s close relationship with Europe and we look forward to the commencement of the negotiations,” said Mr Hurrell.