AUSTRALIA’S peak farmer body has offered qualified support for the resumption of free trade agreement talks with the European Union.

The National Farmers’ Federation today welcomed comments by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outlining the importance of agriculture to any prospective free trade deal with the European Union.

Australia’s PM wants an EU trade deal, but not any price.

The NFF welcomed talks between Prime Minister Albanese and EU President, Ursula von der Leyen, in Italy, but stressed the importance of improved agricultural market access, and standing strong on matters such as geographical indicators for a variety of food products.

Australia has been pursuing a free-trade agreement with the EU, but Mr Albanese and cabinet member Tanya Plibersek have acknowledged the issue of sticking points in previous negotiations, including around Australia’s ability to use food names of European origin. Ms Plibersek said the government wanted to ensure any free-trade agreement with the European Union is a clear advantage for Australia.

NFF president David Jochinke said the ag industry supported the Prime Minister’s comments.

“It is excellent to see the Prime Minister state clearly that a deal will not be struck at just any price,” he said.

“In the last attempt to negotiate a free trade agreement, the offer from the Europeans was simply not good enough, and the Australian Government demonstrated exceptional and principled leadership not agreeing to the terms in front of them.

“The deal on offer from the European Union simply wasn’t good enough; limited market access and too many strings attached,” Mr Jochinke said.

Mr Jochinke said the central issues remain the same for Australian producers.

“This isn’t just any trade deal, it’ll shape trade between Australia and Europe for decades.

“That’s why it must be fair and balanced, with real gains for Australian agriculture at its core.”

Mr Jochinke said current global uncertainty underscored the need for the Australian Government to maintain its principled support for genuine free and open trade.

“Recent global trade disruptions shouldn’t mean we lower the bar; if anything, they prove how important it is to get this right, getting a strong, fair agreement that benefits both sides.

“Australian farmers have always backed open, fair trade. It’s the engine room of global growth,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Protectionism, no matter how it’s dressed up, only slows us all down and does real harm to Australian farmers.

“It’s time for the EU to walk the talk and bring forward a better offer than the one we saw in 2023.

“A solid Free Trade Agreement with Australia gives the EU a chance to show it’s serious about global trade leadership.

“There’s a real opportunity here for both sides to strike a deal that works.

“Building trust and transparency is a cornerstone of the NFF’s 2030 Roadmap to grow Australian agriculture into a $100 billion sector,” Mr Jochinke said.