US decision to pass FTA legislation a positive lead
19 Jul 2004
The passage of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA) legislation in the US brings several Australian agricultural industries a step closer to significant market access gains, the National Farmers’ Federation said today.
“Today’s strong ‘Yes’ vote in the US Senate for the FTA is another positive move toward getting this agreement up and running,” NFF President, Mr Peter Corish said. “NFF is disappointed with several aspects of the US FTA and our expectations were clearly not met in a range of areas, particularly in regard to the outcome on sugar and beef. However, on balance, NFF supports the FTA as the market access benefits for several Australian agricultural industries are significant.”
Mr Corish said also that NFF has seen no evidence at this time that:
- the US FTA undermines Australia's quarantine system,
- the US FTA undermines Australia’s ability to gain a favourable outcome in the World Trade Organisation negotiations,
- negotiated outcomes in chapters outside agriculture negatively impact Australian farmers.
“Given NFF’s policy to support the US FTA, we welcome the passage of this agreement through the US Congress and we look forward to the same outcome in the Australian Senate,” Mr Corish said.
NFF Press Release, 16th July, 2004
by Mairi Barton, General Manager Public Relations, NFF
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