Trade agreement win for farmers

Agriculture leaders are celebrating a significant trading win for farmers.

Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said the signing of a long-awaited Indonesia-australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement would deliver real results for farmers across a wide range of commodities, including livestock, grains, dairy and horticulture.

“Indonesia is already one of our greatest trading partners,” he said.

“In 2017, food and fibre exports to Indonesia were worth $3.5 billion for Australia’s economy.

“This trade agreement will serve to strengthen our trade relationship and maintain or even grow Australia’s market share in Indonesia. I hope the Australian Parliament moves quickly to ratify this agreement.

“Thank you to Minister for Trade Simon Birmingham, former Minister for Trade Steven Ciobo and the many departmental staff who worked on this agreement for over eight years.”

The Indonesia-australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was signed in Jakarta by Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham.

National Farmers’ Federation chief executive Tony Mahar accompanied the minister for the signing of the historic agreement.