From the Guardian · · 2m
Australia's EU trade deal stalls in parliament
After a decade of negotiations, the ten billion dollar agreement faces opposition from farmers and the Coalition, leaving Labor without the votes to pass it.
In brief
After a decade of negotiations, the ten billion dollar agreement faces opposition from farmers and the Coalition, leaving Labor without the votes to pass it. Australia's ten billion dollar annual free trade deal with the EU, finalised in March, cannot pass the Senate without support from the Coalition or Greens, both…
A decade of talks, now stalled
The Albanese government finalised talks with the European Union in March on a free trade deal worth ten billion dollars a year.
What the deal unlocks
When the agreement enters into force, ninety eight percent of Australia's goods exported to the EU will enter duty free.
Beef and lamb access secured
For beef, the deal guarantees preferential access of thirty five thousand tonnes of carcase weight equivalent a year into the EU, including thirty thousand six hundred tonnes of new market access.
Sheep meat and dairy gains
For sheep meat, access of thirty thousand eight hundred fifty one tonnes a year is guaranteed, including twenty five thousand tonnes of new market access, a fivefold increase.
Farmers say it is not enough
The National Farmers' Federation argues at least fifty thousand tonnes of carcase weight of beef access is reasonable, and at least sixty seven thousand tonnes of lamb should be on the table.
Trade minister says no renegotiation
Trade minister Don Farrell has warned there is no room to renegotiate the agreement. He said we've got to either accept or reject this offer, rejecting demands from some farmers to walk away because their…
“we've got to either accept or reject this offer”
Coalition blocks the path forward
The Nationals leader Matt Canavan has declared the Coalition is opposed to the deal in its current form.Labor lacks a Senate majority and needs either the Greens or Coalition to pass legislation.
Greens to assess climate terms
The Greens' trade spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said the minor party will decide its position in due course.
“I will be kicking the tires on the agreement's climate and environmental commitments to see what they actually deliver”
The headline
Australia's ten billion dollar annual free trade deal with the EU, finalised in March, cannot pass the Senate without support from the Coalition or Greens, both of which oppose or have not backed the current terms.
