Headlines
New opportunities for Aussie farmers in UK FTA
Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson this week agreed in principle to a UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement paving the way for improved and expanded access for Australian red meat, sugar, rice and dairy products.
Government commits to Ag Visa
The NFF is cautiously optimistic that calls for a dedicated agriculture visa have been answered after the Morrison Government committed to put the new visa in place by the end of this year in the wake of changes to UK backpacker requirements as a result of FTA negotiations.
Female leaders converge on Canberra
The 2021 cohort of the NFF’s Diversity in Agriculture Leadership arrived in the nation’s capital to begin an intensive one-on-one mentoring program this week. While in Canberra, the women met with Ministers and MPs raising issues such as the future of regional communities, the agriculture workforce and the treatment of women in Parliament.
Vegan 'meat' labelling subject to senate inquiry
Farmers have welcomed a Senate inquiry into food labelling laws and vegan meat product labelling to investigate the use of terms such as ‘meat free mince’ and ‘vegan bacon’.
Drought Resilience Leaders Program now open
Launched yesterday, the Federal Government's Drought Resilience Leaders Program is designed to give regional communities the skills to build drought resilience through training and mentoring. As part of the initiative, the NFF is working with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation to deliver a nation-wide mentoring program for farmers.
Briefing
Australia and the United Kingdom strike an 'in principle' trade deal
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his UK counterpart, Boris Johnson this week agreed to an ‘in principle’ free trade deal which will see the UK liberalise the import of Australian beef, lamb, sugar, rice and dairy products.
The proposed deal is the first trade agreement reached by the United Kingdom since it exited the European Union. The agreement, which is expected to come into force midway next year, will liberalise imports, with up to 99 per cent of Australian goods entering the United Kingdom, duty free.
What will this mean for the agriculture industry?
- Beef tariffs will be eliminated after 10 years. During the transition period, Australia will have immediate access to a duty-free quota of 35,000 tonnes, which will rise in equal instalments to 110,000 tonnes in 10 years.
- Sheep meat tariffs too, will be eliminated after 10 years. During the transition period, Australian will have immediate access to a duty-free quota of 25,000 tonnes, rising in equal instalments to 75,000 tonnes in 10 years.
- Sugar tariffs will be eliminated over eight years. During the transition period, Australia will have immediate access to a duty-free quota of 80,000 tonnes, rising by 20,000 tonnes each year.
- Dairy tariffs will be eliminated over five years. During the transition period, Australian will have immediate access to a duty-free quota for cheese of 24,000 tonnes in year five.
- Australian dairy farmers will also have immediate access to a duty-free quota for non-cheese dairy of 20,000 tonnes.
- Rice will receive immediate duty-free access for short and medium grain milled rice when the agreement enters in force.
- British citizens on a Working Holiday Maker visa will be exempt from the requirement to complete 88 days of specified work such as farm labour.
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Quote of the week
"The UK Trade deal will create new opportunities for Australian farmers as we work towards growing the industry output to $100 billion by 2030."
-NFF President, Fiona Simson
