5 years ago
Senate urged to unlock farm sector growth with TPP-11
National Farmers’ Federation
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) says passage of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP-11) through the Australian Parliament will be an important test of the Parliament’s commitment to farm sector growth and trade liberalisation.
President of the NFF, Fiona Simson, welcomed news that TPP-11 enabling legislation will be introduced to the Senate this week and encouraged all Senators to get on board.
“Australian farmers export two-thirds of what they produce. Access to global markets is critical to the health of our sector and our future growth.
“The NFF has set out a vision to build Australian agriculture to a $100 billion industry by 2030. Expanding our market access through deals like TPP-11 is central to achieving this goal.”
TPP-11 will deliver improved access to some of our most important export markets.
“In 2016-17, Australia exported $12 billion worth of agricultural produce to TPP-11 countries, amounting to 23 per cent of all Australian agricultural exports.
“TPP-11 will phase out most of the tariffs currently applied to those exports, making Australian produce more price competitive in the Pacific Rim.”
Had TPP-11 been in effect in 2016-17, more than $5.5 billion of dutiable agricultural exports would not have attracted tariffs.
“That’s a significant saving that will help propel us towards our goal of $100 billion in farm gate output by 2030,” Ms Simson said.
Farming families on the East Coast and South Australia managing drought need the support of our politicians more than ever. Passing this legislation as soon as possible is a concrete way our political parties can show that support.
At a time when international trade rules, that increase certainty for exporters, are under threat, passage of the TPP-11 by the Australian Parliament sends an important message that Australia remains committed to a rules-based trading system and trade liberalisation.
“We call on members of the Australian Senate to vote in support of this important legislation,” Ms Simson concluded.