31 Jul 2015

Govt failing farmers in TPP talks - Labour

5:39 pm on 31 July 2015

The Labour Party says the Government is clearly failing to get any wins for dairy exporters at the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks in Hawaii.

Greater access to dairy markets remains the biggest sticking point for New Zealand at the talks, with Canada refusing to budge on the reduction or removal of tariffs.

Trade ministers and officials from the 12 countries involved have set the goal of reaching agreement by tomorrow.

David Parker

Labour trade spokesperson David Parker Photo: RNZ / Amelia Langford

Labour trade spokesperson David Parker said the talks did not appear to be progressing well.

"Dairy's not sorted. They haven't protected our ability to control who owns our homes, there are more questions arising in respect of SEOs that will have to be answered.

"The Minister's obviously not dealing well with the pressure, and I suspect that's symptomatic of things not going as well as they should be."

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