EU talks open doors to trade

Tassie producers stand to gain

HISTORIC trade talks with the European Union will begin today in a deal which will open the door for Tasmanian producers to half a billion consumers.

The Turnbull Government will launch Australia-EU trade agreement negotiations with EU Trade Commissioner Dr Cecilia Malmström, with the first round of negotiations in Brussels in early July.

A formal trade pact with the EU would be one of Australia’s biggest trade agreements, with lack of preferential access into the market currently putting many exporters at a disadvantage against competitors.

Trade Minister Steven Ciobo said he wanted more Australian premium produce on European plates and more Australian know-how helping build infrastructure.

“While countries are building barriers, we are knocking them down to create new opportunities for Australian businesses,” he said.

Australian trade on a range of agricultural commodities, including beef, sheepmeat, sugar, cheese and rice is significantly constrained by EU tariff quotas.

Premium Fresh Tasmania Managing Director Jim Ertler said tariff reductions would make his products more price competitive.

“Any permanent change, like a tariff reduction, also gives us the confidence to expand our business further, invest more in a market and invest more in machinery,” he said.

“Our onions for example, currently have a 9.6 per cent tariff into the EU, if this was reduced or eliminated, this results in positive change.”

Essential Oils of Tasmania CEO Simon Wells believes his company can do more business in the EU.

“We look forward to some of the trading restrictions being removed to not only make us more competitive, and easier for us to do business, but to do more of it.”