Farmers eye EU deal

Free-trade breakthrough seen to open fields of opportunity

FARMERS denied easy access to Europe’s markets for decades are ready to ramp up exports once a free-trade deal with the EU is complete.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says an agreement with Europe will open new markets for Australian exporters and push back against protectionism.

European countries have agreed to begin talks on what could be Australia’s biggest free-trade deal, against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s “America First” trade policy.

“(This is) a huge achievement, a multilateral agreement in these times where protectionism has some support in some parts of the world,” Mr Turnbull said yesterday.

National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson says Australian farmers have been a net exporter everywhere except the EU.

“A high-quality agreement could substantially improve market access for Australian agricultural products,” Ms Simson said.

“Australia exports about 75 per cent of its agricultural produce and our farmers are among the least subsidised in the world.”

Bulgarian Economy Minister Emil Karanikolov, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said the negotiations were a reminder to the world of the EU’s commitment to global co-operation.

“Starting these talks between like-minded partners sends a strong signal,” Mr Karanikolov said.

In 2016-17, Australia exported about $3.8 billion worth of produce to the EU, while importing produce worth about $4.7 billion.

Ms Simson said it was a big deviation from Australia’s usual agricultural trade pattern, with Australia usually being a net food exporter.

Labor’s trade spokesman Jason Clare welcomed negotiations but called on the government to ensure Australian jobs were protected.