Monday, October 23, 2023
EU Trade Deal Must Support Australian Farmers
There is a lot of concern in the agricultural sector that the Australian government is going to sign up to a bad Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, Shadow Trade and Tourism Minister Kevin Hogan said.
“The agricultural sector wants complete liberalisation and access to markets, like the previous government achieved through the United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement – complete liberalisation,” Mr Hogan said.
This meant removing all tariffs and quotas for Australian goods.
“The government must also hold the line on geographical indicators, so producers will still have access to names like parmesan, fetta and prosecco,” Mr Hogan said.
“Grandfathering, where current producers can use the name but new producers can’t, is not an option. This is completely unacceptable for industries because of the confusion it creates.
“We must also not have anything that disadvantages our farmers over land management, animal transportation or maximum residue levels.”
The agreement needs to acknowledge different farming practices.
“This deal is going to be the deal we live with for many decades and the deal can’t be signed at the whim of the prime minister’s travel itinerary,” Mr Hogan said.
“New Zealand did a bad deal with the EU and Australia cannot do the same.”
ENDS.
