Media Release
QDO TAKES UP THE CHALLENGE IN free trade talks WITH the u.s.
A six member dairy industry delegation is heading to the United States of America to discuss and explore the possibilities for free trade with the US and the opportunities for value-added dairy exports from Australia.
Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation President, Wes Judd is part of the Dairy Australia organised delegation that will fly to Washington this Friday to talk with key congressional leaders and advisors, before moving into a series of meetings with major American dairy industry groups.
“Later this month the first round of formal Free Trade Agreement negotiations will begin between United States of America and Australia and we want to make sure the facts are firmly on the table so that the dairy industry is part of the free trade deal”.
Mr Judd said while the Queensland dairy industry is currently a minor player on the export scene, the free trade negotiations are vital to the industry’s future here in this state as well as Australia-wide.
“At the moment the Australian dairy industry only has minimal access to the huge American market, if we can grow our exports of value-added dairy products it means the whole Australian dairy industry can grow. If we increase demand for our export products then that will maintain prices in all states, including Queensland”.
He said Queensland producers have enormous capacity to benefit from free trade reform because growing overseas demand will give Queensland the opportunity to increase its exports.
“We are looking at the long term future, the long term viability of our industry. Producers should be aware that these trade talks will not produce instant results, but the hard work has to be done now to ensure Australia’s dairy interests are considered in the free trade negotiations”.
Mr Judd said some of the major US dairy players seemed to be taking a somewhat protectionist attitude to free trade discussions and this tour will help to find common ground and show how Australia and America can work together for mutual benefit.
“The products the Australian dairy industry wants to export to the US are not in direct competition with their domestic industry, rather they are complementary. For example Australia has made major advances in its production of milk concentrate and now US confectionary makers wish to access these high quality value-added products”.
“These talks will help determine how that sort of trade can benefit both countries and how we can assure the American domestic dairy industry that it will not be disadvantaged by Australian exports”.
“Exports are the market that will drive growth and profitability for the whole Australian dairy industry whether you’re farming on the tablelands in the Far North or in Western Australia and this trade delegation is another step towards securing those exports”.
Contact Details
Wes Judd, QDO President, 0407 132 854 or 07 46 648 157
Adrian Peake, QDO CEO, 07 3236 2955 or 0408 989 102
Sally Nicol, Media Liaison, 07 46 776 215