UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

Sam Pass (The British Deputy High Commissioner to New Zealand)

On 21 October, and following just over a year of intensive negotiations, the United Kingdom and New Zealand announced that Agreement in Principle (AiP) had been reached on a UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

As the AiP document shows, this is an exciting, ambitious, and comprehensive agreement, true to the spirit of the broader UK-New Zealand relationship . It will unlock a whole series of new opportunities for business and consumers in both countries, further strengthening the connections between us . There is still work to be done . Once the text has been finalised, legally verified, and domestic processes completed, arrangements will be made for signature . I appreciate that for many of you reading this article it will be what the deal means for the export of New Zealand’s agricultural product that will be of most interest . As expected, it was our negotiations on goods that proved to be particularly sensitive . UK negotiators recognised the need to reassure UK farmers and rural stakeholders that market access outcomes would not threaten sensitive sectors . Even allowing for this, we have been able to secure an outcome that delivers broad liberalisation on tariffs on a mutually beneficial basis . The agreement will offer commercially meaningful access for New Zealand’s leading exporters at entry into force . Where there are product-specific safeguards, these are limited to particular UKsensitive products to allow UK farmers time to adjust . The agreement sets out a clear pathway to full quota liberalisation . But of course the agreement is about much more than goods . It reflects our values as two like-minded democracies who believe in free trade, including provisions in areas such as the environment, development, and gender and labour . There are ground-breaking commitments that reinforce our mutual commitments to tackle climate change through the Paris Agreement and our efforts to meet net zero emissions . There will be a specific chapter on animal welfare, recognising the importance that both the UK and New Zealand attach to this issue . It will also include a bespoke chapter on Indigenous Trade, recognising the unique and historic relationship between the UK and Māori, and our shared aspiration to strengthen our connections and co-operation in trade and business . Through various visits to farms and attendance at the National Agricultural Fieldays, I have seen during my time in New Zealand the strong connection New Zealanders have with the rural community . The New Zealand farming landscape is one that all New Zealanders can be proud of, exemplifying quality farming practices and products that are the hallmark of this country, and a strong tradition of innovation . Put simply, New Zealand farmers produce goods that Britons want . The UK and New Zealand can learn much from each other’s farming journey . This includes how to address the question of subsidy reform, land management and sustainability, overseas market access, and agritech exchange . The FTA is therefore just the beginning of, I hope, a new chapter of bilateral agricultural dialogue between the UK and New Zealand . These are exciting times for the UK-New Zealand relationship . (Sam Pass: British High Commision, Wellington)

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British High Commissioner, Laura Clarke and her team at Fieldays 2021