FARMERS and meat exporters have called on the federal government to remain firm in negotiating a free trade deal with the European Union.
Negotiations are underway in Brussels this week for an Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement, the Australian delegation led by trade minister Don Farrell.
While geopolitical forces might suggest the time is right for closer ties, the two parties have historically struggled to come to terms, Australians being frustrated by what they see as European protectionism.
Chair of the Australia–EU Red Meat Market Access Taskforce Andrew McDonald said improved market access was essential.
“A successful deal must correct the disproportionately low quota volumes currently applied to Australian beef, sheep meat and goat meat entering the EU, and secure the maximum possible additional, useable access under an FTA,” Mr McDonald said.
“As a like-minded partner with a strong value proposition, particularly in product quality and sustainability, it is reasonable that Australia secures at least a minimum of 50,000 tonnes carcase weight (cwt) of beef access in line with what the EU has offered our competitors.”
“With Australia’s red meat access to the EU effectively being unchanged for nearly 50 years and then diminishing as a result of Brexit and a redistribution of quotas, this FTA represents the only realistic opportunity to remedy the competitive disadvantage we face.”
Mr McDonald said their preference was that the EU genuinely engaged in free and fair trade.
“Necessary access improvements will also help address current skewed trade flows.
“Australia already provides the EU with quota and tariff-free access for meat products and hence the EU import regime is a long way from a ‘level playing field,” he said.
Minister Farrell told Parliament last week the deal “would require a better offer by the EU on agricultural market access”.
National Farmers’ Federation president Hamish McIntyre said Australian farmers would hold the Minister to these comments.
“The government has set a clear bar as we enter the final stages of these negotiations - no deal is better than a bad deal for Australian agriculture,” Mr McIntyre said.
“This deal is clearly at the pointy end, and the government should not flinch on the standard they have now set. A one-sided EU agreement would lock in decades of disadvantage for Australian farmers.”
The NFF said recent developments in Europe only heightened concerns.
“As negotiations approach a potential conclusion, we are concerned the EU will continue to offer limited access for Australian producers while relying on billion-dollar, production-distorting subsidies,” Mr McIntyre said.
“This would be a double blow for Australian farmers.”
Mr McIntyre said the timing of the negotiations was crucial.
“Global trade uncertainty is stacking up as a real threat to farm profitability as we head into 2026,” he said.
“Between China’s beef tariffs, ongoing trade volatility in the United States and rising export costs imposed domestically, now is not the time to accept weak market access.”