The New Zealand dairy industry is repeating calls that the dairy sector needs better market access for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to be worthwhile.
US Trade Representative Mike Froman (C) speaks at a press conference for the TPP in Sydney 2014. Photo: AFP / FILE
This morning, the US Senate voted to grant President Barrack Obama fast track authority for the TPP, which clears an obstacle for trade negotiations to continue .
Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) chair Malcom Bailey said, currently, the TPP offers for New Zealand's dairy industry were not anywhere near where they needed to be.
DCANZ met the Government in Wellington last week to reinforce its message.
Mr Bailey said, as New Zealand's biggest export sector, dairy access needed to be given top priority for the TPP to be worthwhile.
"What we know of the negotiations to date is that dairy is being left to last," he said.
"What appears to be on the table at this point, we would not consider anywhere near adequate.
"We believe that the end game of the negotiations will require substantial improvement in the dairy market access outcomes, otherwise the TPP deal for New Zealand just doesn't look anywhere near good enough."
