Trade Minister defends EU deal despite farming concerns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 04:31 · Archive

Australia's Trade Minister Don Farrell is defending a finalised $10bn-a-year EU trade deal against opposition from the Nationals over beef and sheep meat quotas. The deal, finalised in March, removes tariffs on 98 per cent of Australian exports but negotiators failed to secure the market access quotas for red meat that farmers sought. The National Farmers Federation said 'we'd rather no agreement'.

Beef producers wanted market access quotas of 50,000 tonnes but the agreement secured 35,000 tonnes, an eight-fold improvement on current levels. Sheep meat exports landed at just under 31,000 tonnes, up from 5,800 tonnes. Farrell acknowledged the beef industry had sought $3 billion worth of new trade but said he obtained $2 billion worth.

Farrell argued that one section of the economy cannot block the deal for everyone else because it did not get everything it wanted. He pointed out that beef exports have doubled to $18 billion since 2022 and said his job was to represent the national interest, not just one sector of the economy.

How it is being reported

• Trade Minister Don Farrell defends $10bn EU pact, claims red meat quotas no reason to block dealThe Nationals are showing no signs of compromising on a trade deal worth $10bn-a-year with the EU, despite warnings the opportunity may never return.The West Australian · 19 Oct, 04:14
• Trade Minister Don Farrell defends $10bn EU pact, claims red meat quotas no reason to block dealThe Nationals are showing no signs of compromising on a trade deal worth $10bn-a-year with the EU, despite warnings the opportunity may never return.Perth Now · 19 Oct, 04:14

In this story: Don Farrell · European Union · Australia · National Farmers Federation · Nationals

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