Trade & International Policy
The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council works closely with government to identify opportunities to improve market access for New Zealand seafood products.
Market access restrictions, tariffs and subsidies to competing fishing sectors are estimated to cost New Zealand seafood exporters at least $100 million annually. The Council is working with the Government to promote comprehensive market access liberalisation for seafood products among World Trade Organisation member countries.
Technical barriers to trade are a growing concern, as market access becomes more liberal. The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council hosts a joint council with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Seafood Standards Council, the latter being responsible for the development of industry standards and codes of practice to manage food safety and "fitness for purpose" of New Zealand fish and fish products.
The International arena
Obligations to ensure the protection and responsible utilisation of fish stocks extend beyond our territorial seas. New Zealand is a signatory to treaties that require international sustainable management of fish stocks.International interest in and respect for the Quota Management System has increased liaison with other fishing nations with an interest in managing wild resources sustainably, as well as managing access to marine resources.
The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council has worked closely with government agencies to support an expert, technical review in the World Trade Organisation of the impact of subsidies on the international trade in fish and fish products. Open and liberal trading conditions are essential for the economic well being of the New Zealand seafood industry because such a large proportion of its revenue comes from exports.