8. Question No. 8—Trade and Export GrowthHon NATHAN GUY (National—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Trade and Export GrowthQuestion No. 8—Trade and Export Growth8. Hon NATHAN GUY (National—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Trade and Export Growth: Does he stand by all of his statements?Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister for Trade and Export Growth): Yes.Hon Nathan Guy: Did he say at a meeting in Wellington last week with the EU agriculture commissioner and his trade delegate and I quote that Hungry sharemilkers screw everything out of their cows and allow them to shit in our rivers."?Hon DAVID PARKER: No.Hon Nathan Guy: If he didn't say that "Hungry sharemilkers screw everything out of their cows and allow them to shit in our rivers." which I have confirmed from my sources why did he—SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member will resume his seat. The member has just had a direct denial from the Minister. The Minister's word will be taken and he will not repeat that comment.Hon Nathan Guy: What did he say to a high-level trade delegation from the European Union about New Zealand sharemilkers at that meeting last week?Hon DAVID PARKER: The member is misinterpreting comments that I think he's heard third- or fourth-hand. The meeting with the European Commission included the issue of nutrient pollution. Some of the farming groups at the meeting I think were somewhat shocked to hear the European commissioner say that the commission had recently required the Netherlands to cull 100000 cows because they exceeded their nutrient pollution guidelines. I explained to the European commissioner our water programme of action I acknowledged the problems that we have in controlling nutrient pollution and I explained that one of the ways—in fact I flipped to Landcorp to explain one of the ways that we are addressing this is it to prove up the economics of less-polluting farm systems.Hon Nathan Guy: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I asked a very direct question—SPEAKER: And the member had a very direct answer which was longer than it needed to be and fuller but because of the circumstances I let it run. The member should be satisfied with that.Hon Nathan Guy: In light of comments that I have been told that he said at that meeting regarding New Zealand sharemilkers does he realise that these 3000 sharemilkers have helped fence and exclude cattle from 98 percent of our waterways—that means a distance from here in Wellington to Chicago and back?SPEAKER: Order! The Minister has no responsibility for what that member's been told.Hon Nathan Guy: In light of his comments to a very senior European agricultural commissioner can he be trusted to get the best possible trade deal for the New Zealand dairy industry with some very outrageous and undiplomatic comments.Hon DAVID PARKER: Mr Speaker—SPEAKER: Order! Order! No the member will resume his seat. There's an assertion at the tail end of that question which causes it to be out of order.Hon Nathan Guy: Can the Minister be trusted to negotiate a free-trade deal with the European Union when he has said some comments about the New Zealand dairy industry that farmers are outraged about?Hon DAVID PARKER: Given the controversy that the member's tried to create around this I had my office check with representatives from the European Union. They received my comments in the way in which they were intended. The member's got it wrong; he's wilfully misinterpreting the statements that I made. The meeting did achieve its purpose: New Zealand and Europe do see eye to eye on environmental issues which also helps us gain the trade access that we are seeking to improve access for our exports for farmers and other exporters to Europe."