Greens Scaremongering Could Hit Meat Trade

ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today warned that trade with the European Union and beyond would become increasingly difficult, thanks to Green Party scaremongering.

"We now have reports that European consumers are worried about the overuse of fossil fuels needed to carry our produce to world markets," Mr Eckhoff said.

"Years of `dire warnings' by the Greens, on the so-called depletion of fossil fuels, will enable Europe's protectionist elements to seek closure of shelf space to New Zealand goods, yet the oil industry estimates the world's usage of oil at only 50 percent of reserves.

"Some EU food executives believe consumers will begin to question the transporting of New Zealand agricultural exports, as they have been fed on a diet of bad news over the `squandering' of non-renewable resources.

"The Greens' anti-free trade attacks, as well as its decrying of modern agricultural practices, will contribute to the increasing difficulties faced by our exporters in gaining overseas market access.

"The environmental lobby knows that if a lie is told often enough people will eventually believe it," Mr Eckhoff said.

© Scoop Media