Canadian move criticised

Wellington: New Zealand has fired a warning shot at Canada over dairy tariffs, starting a dispute resolution under the Trans Pacific Partnership pact — the first of its kind.

Canada’s dairy tariff rate quotas (TRQs) set out how much dairy product can cross its border tarifffree.

Trade Minister Damien O’Connor said New Zealand had yesterday submitted a request for consultations under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a free trade agreement both countries — and 10 others — are signatories to.

‘‘New Zealand considers the manner in which Canada is implementing its dairy TRQs to be inconsistent with its obligations under CPTPP,’’ Mr O’Connor said.

‘‘Many of Canada’s dairy TRQs remain unfilled and this represents a tangible loss to New Zealand’s dairy exporters.’’ — RNZ