NZ’s trade aims advanced at Davos meetings

A proposal to cut “trade and production-distorting subsidies” in the agricultural sector by 2030 has set out important measures to ensure a fair agricultural trading system.

Speaking after attending meetings of trade ministers in Davos, Switzerland, Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker welcomed the joint proposal from the 19 member “Cairns Group” of agricultural exporting nations, which includes New Zealand.

“These subsidies are harmful to the environment and prevent countries like New Zealand and many developing countries from competing fairly on the world market,” David Parker said.

“All countries rely on a functioning sustainable, affordable and effective global food system. For those of us who have built exporting agricultural sectors it is particularly important that we continue the work to update the WTO rules on agriculture.”

The Cairns Group members account for more than 25 per cent of world agricultural exports.

The ACCTS statement is available here:Trade Ministers’ Joint Statement