Guy hails halal deal as meat export breakthrough
China is New Zealand's largest halal market and comprises a third of all halal export sales.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says two formal arrangements signed in China mark a significant step forward in the supply of New Zealand halal meat to that market.
The Ministry for Primary Industries and the China Certification and Accreditation Administration co-signed a new Halal Arrangement in Beijing yesterday, under which China will recognise New Zealand’s halal regulation and certification regime for halal goods exported to China.
“This is a major step forward for New Zealand’s halal meat producers and it marks the first time China has recognised another county’s halal regulatory and certification systems,” Mr Guy says in a statement.
“The arrangement will provide a competitive advantage in China for our red meat producers.”
China is New Zealand’s number one market for halal-certified meat. In the 12 months to September 2015 around 77,672 tonnes of halal certified meat were exported to China, representing 33% of New Zealand’s total halal certified exports.
Mr Guy also co-signed a formal arrangement with Chinese Agriculture Minister Han Changfu for New Zealand and China to develop an Agricultural Growth Partnership (AGP).
“The AGP aims to foster stronger relationships between New Zealand and China’s agricultural sectors through coordinated, strategic cooperation," Mr Guy says.
“This is a public-private partnership that aims to utilise NZ Inc expertise in research and training to work on co-operation activities in areas such as agricultural policy exchange, dairy farmer training, livestock technology, animal health and disease control.
“These signings reinforce the strong and positive relationship we have between the two countries, and are the result of a lot of hard work on both sides.”
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Nevil Gibson
Tue, 19 Apr 2016
Tue, 19 Apr 2016
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Guy hails halal deal as meat export breakthrough
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