In accordance with section 29 of the Meat Board Act 2004 (“Act”), the New Zealand Meat Board (“Board”) has reviewed its existing quota allocation mechanisms for the European Union (EU) Sheepmeat and Goatmeat, United Kingdom (UK) Sheepmeat & Goatmeat, EU High Quality Beef, UK High Quality Beef and United States (US) Beef and Veal Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQ).

The review of allocation mechanisms was undertaken a request from a quota holder and experience with the new entrant allocation mechanisms arising from the Quota Allocation Mechanism Review carried out in 2024. The issue to be addressed was balancing access to any New Entrant and encouraging full utilisation of the quota.

The Board has agreed amendments will be made to the existing allocation mechanisms pursuant to section 27 of the Act, including:

• Allocation of the New Entrant Quota Allowance continues to be on a first come first served (FCFS) basis.
• At the six-month mark of a quota year the Board may reallocate up to 80% of the New Entrant Quota Allowance remaining at that date to General Quota Allowance (GQA) holders.
• All other aspects of the allocation of New Entrants Quota Allowance shall remain the same. There is no change to the allocation mechanisms for Free Trade Agreement TRQs.

The amended mechanism applies, for TRQs commencing on:

• 1 January 2026, namely EU Sheepmeat and Goatmeat, UK Sheepmeat and Goatmeat and US Beef and Veal; and
• 1 July 2026, namely EU High Quality Beef and UK High Quality Beef.

Notes:

• The EU Sheepmeat and Goatmeat TRQ applies to 125,769 tonnes carcase weight equivalent and the tariff rate for ‘in quota’ imports is zero.
• The EU High Quality Beef TRQ applies to 1,102 tonnes product weight and the tariff rate for ‘in quota’ imports is 7.5 percent ad valorem duty.
• The UK Sheepmeat and Goatmeat TRQ applies to 102,620 tonnes carcase weight equivalent and the tariff rate for ‘in quota’ imports is zero.
• The UK High Quality Beef TRQ applies to 198 tonnes product weight and the tariff rate for ‘in quota’ imports is twenty percent ad valorem duty.
• The US Beef and Veal TRQ applies to 213,402 tonnes product weight and the tariff rate for ‘in quota’ imports is US0.044 per kilogram on most beef products.

Quota Manuals containing the amended mechanism are available on the Board’s website: http://www.nzmeatboard.org.

Dated at Wellington this 20th day of March 2026.

NICK BEEBY, Chief Executive, New Zealand Meat Board.