Agro Napló • 2023. február 28. 10:23
The EU-New Zealand trade agreement has today taken a big step towards ratification, with the Commission sending it to Council for signature.
Sending the draft decisions to the Council on the signature and conclusion of the agreement is a major step: Once the Council gives its green light, the EU and New Zealand can sign the agreement and it can be sent to the European Parliament for its consent. Following approval, the deal can enter into force.
The agreement is expected to deliver major gains for the EU. Bilateral trade is expected to grow by up to 30% thanks to this deal, with EU annual exports potentially growing by up to €4.5 billion. EU investment into New Zealand has a potential to grow by up to 80%. The deal can cut some €140 million a year in duties for EU companies from the first year of application.
Agri-food: stimulating EU exports while shielding EU sensitivities
EU farmers will have much better opportunities to sell their produce in New Zealand immediately upon application of the agreement. Tariffs will be eliminated as of day one on key EU exports such as pigmeat, wine and sparkling wine, chocolate, sugar confectionary and biscuits.
EU farmers will see benefits beyond the tariff cuts. The Agreement will protect the full list of EU wines and spirits (close to 2000 names) such as Prosecco, Polish Vodka, Rioja, Champagne and Tokaji. In addition, 163 of the most renowned traditional EU products (Geographical Indications), such as Asiago, Feta, Comté or Queso Manchego cheeses, Istarski pršut ham, Lübecker Marzipan, Elia Kalamatas olives will be protected in New Zealand.
The agreement takes into account the interests of EU producers of sensitive agricultural products: several dairy products, beef and sheep meat, ethanol and sweetcorn. For these sectors, there will be no liberalisation of trade. Instead, the agreement will allow zero or lower tariff imports from New Zealand only in limited amounts (through so-called Tariff Rate Quotas).
Open trade is one of the four pillars of the EU's Green Deal Industrial Plan announced by President von der Leyen on 1 February, and this agreement will make a contribution to that. Once in force, it will help make the EU economy greener, more competitive and more resilient.
A press release is available here.