As Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) nations meet in Maui this week to continue negotiations, the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) remains committed to working with the Federal Government to ensure a comprehensive outcome for Australian dairy.
Representatives for Australian dairy including ADIC Chair, Noel Campbell and delegates from Dairy Australia, will join Government representatives in Maui, to advocate for dairy’s interests. Negotiations are at a crucial stage and may even be finalised in this week.
The TPP negotiation involves Australia and 11 other countries representing almost 40% of world GDP*. These countries include important dairy export markets as well as competitor suppliers.
“The TPP offers an historic opportunity to address a whole range of distortions and ensure that consumers throughout the region have access to the safe, high quality products available from Australia,” Mr Campbell said.
“However, for this deal to be commercially meaningful, markets like Japan and Canada must demonstrate that they are prepared to significantly increase their existing dairy market access positions.”
Sustained economic and population growth is driving an increase in dairy demand for the Asia-Pacific, but to take full advantage of this unprecedented opportunity, the TPP must be ambitious, comprehensive and commercially meaningful.
“While the are some positive indications of progress being made, vital issues are still to be addressed in Japan to ensure that the Australian dairy industry can improve its competitive positioning in that key market,” Mr Campbell said.
Working with government over many years, the ADIC has continued to promote the interests of the dairy industry in this multilateral deal which includes not only key markets for Australia’s dairy industry but also our key competitors.
The ADIC appreciates the efforts of the Minister for Trade and Investment, the Hon. Andrew Robb in collaboration with his staff to ensure this difficult deal has a commercially meaningful outcome for all involved.
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Shona McPherson, Media Officer
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E: media@australiandairyfarmers.com.au