Trade Minister to meet farmers over EU trade deal

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 07:33 · Archive

Australia's Trade Minister Don Farrell will meet with the National Farmers' Federation to address concerns about a $10bn-a-year free trade agreement with the European Union.

Trade Minister Don Farrell will meet with National Farmers' Federation members in Canberra on Thursday as the government attempts to address the farming sector's objections to the proposed EU free trade deal. The agreement removes 98 per cent of tariffs on Australian goods entering the EU, the world's second largest economy, and is worth an extra $10bn annually to Australia. Most sectors have welcomed the terms, but the NFF has repeatedly criticised them.

NFF president Hamish McIntyre said the deal 'offers no material improvement' for red meat producers, dairy farmers and canegrowers on quotas offered in 2023. The Coalition opposition is calling for renegotiation, with foreign affairs spokesman Ted O'Brien writing to Foreign Minister Penny Wong to request intervention. He cited 'unprecedented climate commitments' as a core concern and requested a separately negotiated side deal protecting Australian business from penalties if Australia falls short of international obligations.

Trade Minister Farrell has dismissed the climate concerns as a 'strawman' argument. An EU official told NewsWire the penalty provisions were 'purely theoretical', stating that sanctions could only be triggered if Australia adopted a policy materially defeating the object and purpose of the Paris Agreement. The official said that even withdrawing from Paris would require 'years of processes' before sanctions became possible.

How it is being reported

• Trade Minister Don Farrell to meet furious farmers in Canberra to salvage $10bn EU trade pactAnthony Albanese’s chief negotiator will meet with the biggest critics of a $10bn-a-year deal with the EU, after it failed to win over Australia’s own farmers.The West Australian · 28 Oct, 07:03
• Trade Minister Don Farrell to meet furious farmers in Canberra to salvage $10bn EU trade pactAnthony Albanese’s chief negotiator will meet with the biggest critics of a $10bn-a-year deal with the EU, after it failed to win over Australia’s own farmers.Perth Now · 28 Oct, 07:03

In this story: Don Farrell · National Farmers' Federation · European Union · Hamish McIntyre · Ted O'Brien · Penny Wong · Australia · Anthony Albanese

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