Taking a joint ANZAC approach to common trade issues could have mutual benefits for New Zealand and Australian meat exporters.
The Red Meat Sector Conference was told industries in either country could be easily swamped by large international producers, but co-operating on common issues such as biosecurity, methane emission research and non-tariff barrier issues could be beneficial.
That was the view of Hamish Marr and Su McCluskey, respectively the NZ and Australian special agricultural trade envoys, who told the conference the two countries face several similar challenges.
McCluskey said these include reducing methane and retaining a social licence to farm, especially from European Union rule makers.
She said the farmer’s voice is being squeezed out by powerful non-government organisations but by working together, a joint case can be presented to the EU.
“We have the opportunity to demonstrate how well we operate, our environment standards and sustainability credentials,” she said.
From December 30 businesses trading with the EU must prove that products, including beef, leather and wood, do not originate from deforested areas or contribute to forest degradation.
McCluskey said both NZ and Australia could unwittingly be caught up by this legislation despite both actually increasing forested areas.
“We have a great story to tell but need a better way to tell it.”
Marr agreed, saying NZ and Australia both satisfy environmental and sustainable standards expected in key markets, but need to stay on the front foot when delivering those messages.
“The risk is we get swallowed up when they are putting regulations in place for something we are already doing.”
Marr said NZ has a fantastic story.
Farmers are not subsidised and its total meat production is small compared to many competitors, which means the country is unlikely to disrupt the domestic markets in countries it exports to.
He said he recently met with leaders of United States cattle farming organisations and they told him they view NZ beef exports as adding value to their product.
Marr said NZ farmers are held in high regard but he believes that reputation could be enhanced through farmers collecting and making better use of data from their business.
That would ensure their products are differentiated and not swamped by larger producers.
McCluskey said the role of trade envoys is to provide a farmer’s perspective to policy makers and interest groups and that includes ensuring agriculture is part of the solution to climate change based on facts and not ideology.
In Focus Podcast | Red meat sector faces up to the challenge
Bryan attended the Red Meat Sector Conference this week and caught up with Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy, who outlined some of the structural shifts in the industry and gave his views on the big challenges sheep and beef farmers are facing at the moment.
