Dairy Council applauds FTA outcomes

WAFarmers Dairy Council welcomes the announcement of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which delivers positive outcomes for the dairy industry.

It was very pleasing to see such excellent results could be achieved through well-coordinated and informed lobbying by bodies representing the dairy industry, such as WAFarmers, other State Farm Organisations and national body Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), WAFarmers Dairy Council President Phil Depiazzi said.

“The Dairy Council has worked closely with ADF as part of a campaign to secure a great deal for dairy, which included meeting with local politicians to discuss the benefits to WA of a FTA which promotes growth within the industry,” Mr Depiazzi said.

“The dairy industry has been the leading commodity in these negotiations and has lobbied strongly for an outcome placing dairy in a competitive position comparative to New Zealand.

“This is a great example of the whole of industry, including ADF, Dairy Australia, Australian Dairy Industry Council and State Farm Organisations, working together and with government to achieve positive outcomes.”

Mr Depiazzi said the China FTA was just one example of how the WAFarmers Dairy Council works on behalf of its members in the best interests of their businesses and the industry as a whole.

The Dairy Council also engaged in the #FTA4Dairy social media campaign earlier in the year which reached more than 1.7million Twitter users while promoting the opportunity the FTA presented to place Australian dairy on level footing with international competitors like New Zealand.

WAFarmers President Dale Park said the China-Australia FTA would also present benefits to other commodities, particularly the red meat industry, as tariffs on red meat are wound down to zero over eight to ten years.

“This agreement presents an excellent opportunity for the future growth of many parts of the agriculture industry in Western Australia, as we look to supply a growing middle class in Asia who are looking for clean and green food sources,” Mr Park said.

Ends.

All media requests must be directed to WAFarmers Media and Communications Officer Leslee Hall on (08) 9486 2100 or [email protected].

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