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Farm trade victory looms
28 Jul 2004
Australian farmers are one step closer to a $70 billion trade victory as negotiators inch towards the abolition of farm subsidies in Europe and the US. There has been a dramatic shift to consensus in the World Trade Organisation talks in Geneva.
Both the National Farmers' Federation and the Cattle Council of Australia conceded yesterday that the removal of subsidies in the US and Europe is now a genuine possibility. CCA president Keith Adams said the ground shift had only occurred in the past 24 hours. He said there's a possible abolition of all subsidies for agriculture - but he was sceptical that subsidies would be removed immediately. Cattle producers are more concerned about market access than subsidies, Mr Adams stated, but subsidy removal would have a positive impact on all sectors, especially industries like dairy.
NFF CEO Anna Cronin described it as "light at the end of the tunnel". She stressed there's been no official agreement, but signs are pointing to a possible "in principle" agreement.
AgForce president Larry Acton said access to world markets is critical for Australian agriculture, as did Canegrowers' GM Ian Ballantyne, who said access to markets is still the prime concern for sugar.
The Courier-Mail, 28/7/04.
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