Agriculture sector puts new Trade Minister Dan Tehan on notice

Australia’s agriculture industry has urged new Federal Trade Minister Dan Tehan to prioritise market access and trade relationships amid China’s “discriminatory” targeting of exporters. In Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s recent Cabinet reshuffle, the former education minister and diplomat was given the Trade portfolio, a move welcomed by primary industry businesses and lobby groups. Simon Birmingham lost the portfolio just two days after officially lodging a complaint about China’s barley tariffs with the World Trade Organisation. National Farmers Federation chief executive Tony Mahar urged Mr Tehan to place agricultural exports — worth $44.7 billion and underpinning thousands of jobs in rural and regional Australia — at the top of his agenda. It comes as the Federal Government this week announced plans to pursue trade agreements with Israel, Switzerland, Norway, the Middle East and Latin American nations next year to open up new markets. Mr Mahar said there were many headwinds facing the industry including recent sanctions on exports to important markets, a proliferation of non-tariff barriers worldwide, and subsidies to competitors “which place them at an unfair advantage in global markets”. Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive Patrick Hutchinson said Mr Tehan had started his role at a “critical time” for the $17.2 billion red meat processing industry. “It is important we all continue to work together to get the best possible outcomes for our export markets,” he said. “Red meat processors are important contributors to Australia’s gross domestic product and the rural economy, exporting some 68 per cent of all production to international markets and contributing $17.2 billion to the Australian economy each financial year.”