Seafood New Zealand praised New Zealand’s signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) despite the treaty's uncertain status.
The ratification of TPP by the New Zealand government “sends a strong signal that we continue to support the agreement despite the withdrawal of the United States,” said Seafood New Zealand chief executive Tim Pankhurst.
“We exported NZD 1.8 billion (USD 1.24 billion, EUR 1.13 million) of seafood last year and free and open access to markets is critical for the seafood industry, which exports most of its product overseas,” Pankhurst said. “We commend the Minister and Cabinet for continuing to support exporters with access to global markets,” said Pankhurst.
Japan has also ratified TPP, but the deal cannot go ahead without the participation of the U.S.
However, “there are still very valuable markets for New Zealand among the remaining TPP countries and ratification is a show of faith in a future agreement that will be of benefit to the seafood industry,” Pankhurst said.
