Cabinet decisions on regulated dairy export markets

[NB: The following is a summary of decisions. The proposed Amendment Bill will outline the detail.]

On expiry of current allocations, remove export restrictions for:

  • butter to Canada (both in and out of quota)
  • the part of the market for cheddar cheese to the US where New Zealand cannot designate the importer(s)
  • the part of the market for NSPF cheese to the US where New Zealand cannot designate the importer(s)
  • the part of the market for American-type cheese to the US where New Zealand cannot designate the importer(s)
  • all out-of-quota trade to the US cheese markets
  • cheese to Japan.

On expiry of current allocations, allocate licences to multiple exporters for:

  • milk powder to the Dominican Republic
  • butter to the EU
  • cheddar cheese and cheese for processing to the EU
  • low fat cheese to the US
  • the part of the market for cheddar cheese to the US where New Zealand can designate the importer(s)
  • the part of the market for NSPF cheese to the US where New Zealand can designate the importer(s)
  • the part of the market for American-type cheese to the US where New Zealand can designate the importer(s)
  • prepared edible fat (PEF) to Japan.

Until the quota is filled in each quota year, restrict out-of-quota trade for:

  • milk powder to the Dominican Republic
  • prepared edible fat (PEF) to Japan.

Allocation mechanism

  • export licences allocated on the basis of percentage of milk solids collected directly from dairy farmers in New Zealand in one season or the average of two seasons
  • minimum threshold for receiving a share of export licences: 0.1% of milk solids collected
  • minimum volumes allocated: 20 tonnes or more of product, (with any relinquished volumes being reallocated pro rata to remaining eligible participants)
  • term of allocation: for allocations made during a transition period of 2007 to 2009 inclusive (applying to quota years beginning in 2008 to 2010 inclusive), allocating export licences for terms of one quota year at a time
  • following the transition period, allocating export licences for terms of 3 quota years at a time.

Other:

  • Trading licences: export licences will be tradable between registered dairy exporters.
  • Interim measures for Canada and Dominican Republic: The Government will, by order in Council;
  • reallocate export rights for milk powder to the Dominican Republic, to Fonterra till 31 December 2007; and
  • reallocate the export rights to the regulated market for butter to Canada, to Fonterra till 31 December 2007.

Contact for enquiries:

Rachel Nicholas
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington