According to the Daily Cargo News “Agriculture and horticulture are among the sectors set for a boost thanks to the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA).
Federal agriculture minister David Littleproud said Australian farmers would have reduced tariffs and be able to export more livestock, beef and sheep meat, grains, sugar, dairy, citrus and horticulture produce.
“Our wheat industry exported $1.3bn worth of produce to Indonesia in 2016-17 and this will grow that further. The agreement will increase duty free access for live male cattle by 4% a year to 700,000 head annually.”
Mr Littleproud said tariffs on most lines of beef and sheepmeat would be reduced from 5 to 0% immediately, with all remaining tariffs to be removed after five years. This will help us build on the $261 million that these exports were worth to Australia in 2016-17.
“Our grain farmers will get guaranteed duty free access for 500,000 tonnes of wheat, barley and sorghum grains per year increasing at 5% per year to 775,664 tonnes.
“Tariffs on our sugar cane will drop from as high as 12 per cent to 5 per cent. Oranges and limes will get increased duty-free access while dairy, mandarins, potatoes and carrots will get reduced tariffs.”
Minister Littleproud thanked former trade Minister Steve Ciobo for his work on the agreement and also praised the trade division of the Australian Department of Agriculture.
The conclusion of substantive negotiation of IA-CEPA was signed last week in Indonesia by Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.”
Article Credit of The Daily Cargo News – September 3rd 2018