Australia: Historic deal agreed with the United Kingdom

The Australian red MEAT industry's priorities for accessing European markets have received a real boost in the last two weeks with the signing of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (AIP) in principle (A-UK FTA). The virtual eleventh round of negotiations on the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement (Australia-EU FTA) has also concluded.

Prime Ministers Morrison and Johnson met in London on 15 June and provided details on the parameters of the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement, under which Australian beef and mutton access to the UK would be liberalized over a 10-year transition period.

Once signed and ratified, the deal will result in Australian beef, ovine and goat meat exports to the UK subject to a tariff quota (TRQ) regime, with initial TRQ tonnages gradually increasing over a 10-year transition period. Although there will be no tariff quota regime after year 10, by the end of year 15 volume safeguards will apply, after which no safeguards will be applied.

“The UK and Australia have a long shared history, both culturally and commercially, in the red meat trade and beyond,” said Andrew MacDonald, Chairman of the Australia, UK and EU Red Meat Market Access Task Force.

“For Australian red meat producers, processors and exporters, this has meant partnering with UK importers and distributors to supply the highest quality Australian red meat products to meet the discerning demand of British consumers.

We are really pleased to see that the negotiations are moving forward with such a principled result. This will ultimately strengthen our existing long-term market partnerships, creating a trading environment that benefits the UK meat trade, British consumers and the Australian red meat industry,” he added.

And this fact will be taken into account when preparing the monthly analytical report Meatinfo.ru