Is Doha a Dodo? And could New Zealand be the global trade go-between that kick starts international trade policy into action?

These were questions put by Federated Farmers President Bruce Wills in a speech to delegates at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Major Issues Conference in Wellington on Thursday.

Mr Wills said that despite much heroic effort by NZ trade officials, ten years on, the Doha trade round was right where it started.

He said trade reform is hugely important to New Zealand. Agriculture represents around 17 per cent of the GDP and we export 90 per cent of what we produce.

The country faces many millions in costs in tariffs, and the snail-like approach to a Doha conclusion flies in the face of the biggest threat to human civilisation – food security.

As a farmer, Mr Wills said, two harvest of near nothing is still nothing.

What was needed, he said, was a new Doha work plan, in place before December’s World Trade Organisation Ministerial Meeting. This now an opportunity for New Zealand to take charge at all levels.