Tasmanian farmers say there are mixed fortunes for Tasmanian commodities with the Japanese free trade agreement (FTA) because many will still face tariffs that protect Japanese agriculture yet Australian agricultural producers do not have tariff protection from Japanese imports.
“What may be good for our beef exports is not replicated for dairy,” Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis said today.
“We recognise the achievement of securing a free trade agreement with Japan and that it follows an FTA with South Korea,” Ms Davis said, “but let us not delude ourselves into believing we now have a level playing field.
“Like the National Farmers’ Federation, we are disappointed with the overall outcomes for agriculture. A number of sectors face only small improvements or limited economic gains.
“There are pluses for Australian beef, horticulture and seafood, with tariffs being reduced over time. However, the agreement does not improve, or much improve, market access and terms of trade for a number of sectors, including dairy, sugar, grains, pork and rice.
“For horticultural products such as carrots, asparagus and cabbage, it should mean much greater access for Australian growers in Japanese stores since the tariff, three per cent, will be eliminated.”
In short, she said, it’s a start.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis
