ALFA: Grain fed beef access set back by disappointing EU FTA outcome
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA), as a member of the Australia–EU Red Meat Market Access Taskforce, is extremely disappointed by the outcome of the Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement announced today.
ALFA President Grant Garey said the agreement represents a significant failure to deliver meaningful outcomes for Australia’s red meat industry.
“By any measure, the Government’s report card on this deal is a failing grade, delivering one of the weakest free trade agreement outcomes for our sector to date,” Mr Garey said.
“For Australia’s grain fed beef sector, the agreement falls far short of the meaningful improvements in market access that we consistently sought throughout negotiations.”
“In practical terms, it represents a step backwards.”
Under the existing 481 quota system, grain fed beef entered the European Union tariff-free. Under this agreement, a 7.5% tariff will apply to grain fed beef volumes supplied under the new FTA quota.
“While the Government may point to the removal of the 20% in-quota tariff on the small existing WTO Hilton quota, this does little to offset an outcome that locks in ongoing constraints for grain fed beef exports,” Mr Garey said.
While small, incremental quota increases have been secured, they won’t be available for years and remain far below industry expectations or the levels required for Australia to compete effectively with other major suppliers into the European Union.
“Australians expect fair trade outcomes. Allowing unrestricted, tariff-free access for European protein and dairy products into Australia, while maintaining tight limits on Australian red meat exports to Europe, fails the pub test.” Mr Garey said.
This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure meaningful access to a premium market of 450 million consumers, and it has been comprehensively squandered.”
ENDS.
Media Enquiries:
Grant Garey
ALFA President
(02) 9290 3700
Niamh Bartley
ALFA Marketing & Communications
0417 610 150
Jack Johnston
MLA Corporate Affairs and Media Manager
0407 282 971
