The Australian Dairy Industry Council has urged the Australian parliament to sign off on the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Negotiations were completed with Peru in November 2017, and the agreement has twice been reviewed by the parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.
ADIC chair Terry Richardson said the industry had been advised that Peru has already signed off on the agreement and does not want Australia to be seen to be lagging behind where improved market access is at stake.
“This agreement includes a good outcome for Australian dairy,” he said.
“It in fact provides better dairy market access when compared to the recently signed Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership agreement – of which Australia and Peru are member countries.
“Peru has historically been a sensitive market for Australian dairy exports, but this agreement gives our industry Country Specific Quota access, which actually exceeds the volume of trade in recent years.
“This provides improved certainty for Australian exporters into Peru, and helps keep Australian dairy on a level playing field with competitors such as the EU and the USA, who already have their own deals in place with Peru."
Mr Richardson said the ratification of the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement would be positive news for the Australian dairy industry, as dairy farmers continue to face a particularly challenging season.
“International trade is essential for the growth of our industry,” he said.
“Increased market access promotes demand for Australian products, which helps support farmgate milk returns and profitable industry growth.”