Beef + Lamb NZ Backs Call for Beef Trade Liberalisation

NEW ZEALAND - Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) strongly supports the International Beef Alliance’s (IBA) call for Ministers at the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference to agree on a path to trade liberalisation while protecting beef producersâ ™ livelihoods.
calendar icon 14 December 2017
clock icon 2 minute read

The Eleventh Ministerial Conference (MC11) of the World Trade Organization is being held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 10-13 December.

Sam McIvor, chief executive of B+LNZ, said: "We back the IBA’s call for Ministers at the WTO Ministerial Conference to reduce or eliminate the use of trade-distorting agricultural subsidies, amongst other production and market distorting measures.

"The use of these domestic subsidies continues to significantly disadvantage efficient agricultural producers. Furthermore, the use of tariffs, quotas and temporary safeguard tariffs continues to pose barriers to beef trade. This also flows through to consumers, raising prices and reducing choice for them."

The Internation al Beef Alliance represents the beef producing organisations of seven of the largest beef producers and exporters in the world including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay and New Zealand. Overall the members represent around 63 per cent of global trade in beef.

IBA Media Statement: Beef Producers Urge Progress at WTO

"The Eleventh Ministerial Conference (MC11) of the World Trade Organization is taking place from 10 to 13 December 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

"With numerous challenges confronting the global trade environment, members of the International Beef Alliance (IBA) continue to urge Ministers to agree on a path to achieve meaningful trade reforms that lead to liberalization of the global trading environment, while protecting beef producers livelihoods.

"In this regard, we strongly encourage Ministers to reduce or eliminate the use of trade-distorting agricultural subsidies (amongst other production and market distorting measures). The use of these domestic subsidies continues to significantly disadvantage efficient agricultural producers. Furthermore, the use of tariffs, quotas and temporary safeguard tariffs continues to pose barriers to beef trade.

"The IBA is unanimous in calling for the alleviation of unscientific and unjustified impediments to trade. Such non-tariff barriers impose unwarranted costs on value chains.

"As this process moves forward, it is important that international trade agreements benefit all people, including small business owners.

"Hundreds of thousands of beef producers in the member nations of the IBA are small business owners, trying to make a living for their families by raising cattle. International trade is the lifeblood for beef producers, since the value of each animal can only be maximized when every part of the animal can be sold to the market that most values it. Improved market access under the WTO could enable our producers’ products to gain access to more consumers and put more money in the pockets of producers."

TheCattleSite News Desk

© 2000 - 2024 - Global Ag Media. All Rights Reserved | No part of this site may be reproduced without permission.