Kika Yamauchi – Wellington
New Zealand’s Primary Industries Minister Hon Nathan Guy told a delegation of the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives group that New Zealand continues to maintain its stance of eliminating all tariffs without exception in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks.
Responding to the delegation’s explanation that tariffs on key Japanese agricultural products should be kept, Guy showed understanding for Japan’s domestic circumstances, but stressed his hope that the TPP members will reach a comprehensive and high-quality agreement.
JA group delegation holds a meeting with New Zealand’s Primary Industries Minister Hon Nathan Guy in Wellington on Tuesday, November 5.
In a meeting with Guy, Toshiaki Tobita, vice president of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA Zenchu) who heads the delegation, explained that the JA group is strongly urging the Japanese government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to maintain tariffs on five key agricultural products.
Shunichiro Yasuta, chairman of the National Mutual Insurance Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA-Kyosairen), asked Guy to understand different situation of each country and cooperate so that they can coexist.
Guy mentioned that the leaders of the TPP member countries agreed on a goal to abolish tariffs without exception in the meeting held in Honolulu, Hawaii, in November 2011. He also referred to an impressive remark made by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when Japan joined the TPP negotiations that the average age of Japanese people mainly engaged in farming is currently 66. He called on Japan to open its market, saying that New Zealand can support revitalization of Japan’s farming industry by providing skills and knowledge.
In a meeting with New Zealand’s Special Agriculture Trade Envoy Mike Petersen and the nation’s TPP negotiators, Toshio Takami, vice head of JA Zenchu’s fruit and vegetables committee, questioned about New Zealand’s sensitive sectors and the prospects of TPP members striking a deal by the year end. Negotiators said the people of New Zealand are extremely worried about such sectors as medical services, pharmaceuticals and intellectual property rights, but showed confidence that they can agree to protect such areas. As for the prospects for reaching agreement, they went only as far as saying that they are seriously negotiating.
The delegation also held a meeting with Conor English, Chief Executive Officer of Federated Farmers of New Zealand. English was confident of New Zealand’s competitive farming industry, saying that no one wants farming to revert to an industry protected by high tariffs. He expressed hope that tariffs on dairy products will be eliminated, saying that market liberalization will provide plenty of opportunities for Japanese farmers in a long term.
(Nov. 6, 2013)