The suspension is seen by some as payback by the Chinese for Australia’s demand for an investigation into the origins of covid-19.
Last month Foreign Minister Winston Peters also called for an inquiry, as well as for Taiwan to be allowed to join the WHO because of its success in dealing with the pandemic.
New Zealand’s largest meat exporter, Silver Fern Farms, is half Chinese owned and therefore might be spared any retaliation, while Alliance can fall back on several decades of co-operation with companies like Grand Farm.
Nevertheless politicians, diplomats and trade officials will have to call on all their subtle negotiating skills as they navigate the critical relationship with our key trading partner.
Primary sector open for business
Provided physical distancing and tracing registers are kept, primary sector businesses are free to open and operate under lockdown level two. Staff-hiring interviews can now take place in person.
Tractor sales nosedive
Tractor and farm machinery dealers want Government support as they navigate their way through a crisis equalling that of the GFC 12 years ago. They’re suggesting a higher write-off limit as one way to encourage sales.
Federated Farmers Budget wish list
Thursday’s Budget should be a more interesting affair than those of recent years, according to Feds vice-chairman Andrew Hoggard. He hopes it will contain less regulation and state intervention and more spending on broadband, rural roading and water storage.
Trading privileges need to be earned
New Zealand products might not fetch premiums on world markets but adherence to high environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards should at least guarantee them a place on supermarket shelves, agricultural trade envoy Mel Poulton says.
Orchard pruners sought for winter
About half of the pruners employed in orchards this winter are expected to be first timers because hundreds of RSE workers from the Pacific cannot enter the country. Being the most skilled task, pruning is relatively well paid once workers get up to speed with the process.
Tonight on Sarah's Country
7.10 pm – Nuffield Scholar Cam Henderson joins Sarah to explore the links between agriculture and energy and how technology could work to harness farmed energy sources.
7.20 pm – Irrigation NZ chief executive Elizabeth Soal joins Sarah to discuss why water storage is a shovel-ready project.
7.30 pm – Wairarapa farmers Daniel and Sophie Hansen are gathering feed in their region to send to their northern neighbours through the Facebook Page Rapa Feed Run and join Sarah to discuss how farmers are supporting each other.
7.40 pm – Trade commentator Chalres Finny joins Sarah to talk about the importance of trade relationships and supply chains in a post-covid world.
