Meat group pushes for free trade agreement
ABC, Australia
Meat group pushes for free trade agreement
25 June 2007
Meat and Livestock Australia is pushing the Federal Government for a free trade agreement with Korea and Japan to protect our lucrative export market.
MLA’s general manager of marketing David Thomason says Australian producers should expect a drop in sales when the United States begins its free trade agreement with Korea next year.
Australian and United States beef exports currently pay a 40 per cent tariff in Korea but under the free trade agreement, American beef will be duty free in 12 years.
Mr Thomason says Australia must counter American aggression in global beef markets.
"We need to be in the free trade game just as much as the Americans are and we are urging and supporting government in that area but these issues are hard fought and very complex, so it’s not something that can be done by the beef industry alone," he said.
