THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the European Union (EU) Ambassador’s enthusiasm for a Free Trade Agreement with Australia, while reiterating that any deal must deliver tangible and meaningful outcomes.

EU ambassador Gabriele Visentin. Photo: National Press Club

In an address to the National Press Club in Canberra yesterday, His Excellency Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia, acknowledged that in a progressively uncertain world, liberalised trade was increasingly important for shared prosperity and growth.

NFF President David Jochinke said the Ambassador’s comments were encouraging, and reflected a position shared by the Australian agriculture sector.

Mr Jochinke cautioned that the Ambassador’s comments suggesting little progress had been made on key issues risked undermining the shared ambition.

“The NFF has long championed free and fair trade, not just for agriculture but for all industries, because we recognise its role in global economic growth and stability,” Mr Jochinke said.

“We strongly welcome the Ambassador’s comments that against a backdrop of global uncertainty, ‘the right answer is more free trade … we have to team up and double down on our hallmark policies of open markets based on free and fair trade’.”

“But it’s for this very reason that it is disappointing to hear from the Ambassador’s perspective that progress has not been made to address the issues that were present in previous negotiation efforts.

“A Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the EU is a perfect opportunity for the EU to walk-the-walk with respect to any future leadership role it may play in global trade, by bringing forward a more liberalised deal than the one of 2023,” Mr Jochinke said.

Previous negotiations were stalled due to the limited market access opportunities for Australian agriculture offered by EU negotiators.

“This is a once-in-a-generation deal. It must be fair, it must be future-focused, and it must deliver for Australian agriculture,” Mr Jochinke said.

“The Albanese Government has stood firm in defending the principles of free trade in recent times, and Australian agriculture stands firmly with them.

“Our Prime Minister and Trade Minister have been instrumental in standing up for the values of free and open trade, and we urge them to continue doing so.

“Again, we welcome the renewal of trade talks between Australia and the European Union, but it is imperative that we strike a strong agreement,” Mr Jochinke said.

Source: NFF