Local farmers have been sold out and will be the big losers in a newly minted free-trade agreement signed between Australia and the European Union (EU).
VFF President Brett Hosking said it was clear the EU and Australia’s competitors had run rings around our negotiating team, with no improvement secured on the deal Australia rejected three years ago.
“It’s pretty embarrassing. For farmers, no deal would have been better than what we’ve been dealt.”
“At a time when farmers are getting smashed by devastating water buybacks and skyrocketing fuel and fertiliser costs, we’ve been hung out to dry for the sake of getting the deal done.”
Mr Hosking said the deal could see many local farmers impacted negatively.
“Australian agriculture is a net-exporter and the market access numbers simply don’t stack up. Beef access is a third of what industry was seeking and for sheep meat, New Zealand got five times more. This puts us at the back of the pack going forward and at a disadvantage.”
“For our dairy farmers, it’s largely a one-way deal. The EU already exports $980 million of dairy into Australia, with only $29 million going back. It’s a hard pill to swallow for the country’s largest dairy producing state.”
“Consumers could also be set to pay more at the checkout for dairy. This move slugs Aussie brands with harmful geographical indicators, that will confuse Australian shoppers and cost them more.”
“With greater competition from international brands, shoppers could lose access to the buy the local brands they know and love.”
“We’re a $100 billion industry that directly employs hundreds of thousands of people. To be offered up as a bargaining chip is bitterly disappointing,” Mr Hosking said.