News • Sustainable Farming Campaign
EU seeks trade deals with Australia and New Zealand that protect EU farmers
Media reports suggest that the EU has “leapt ahead of the UK in the pursuit of free trade deals with Australia and New Zealand” after member states gave the green light for talks to start within weeks.
The EU has published its trade mandate for negotiations with Australia and New Zealand, indicating the EU trading bloc will seek to protect its agricultural sector from cheap imports.
European commissioner for trade Cecilia Malmström said, “Together, we will now negotiate win-win trade deals that create new opportunities for our businesses, as well as safeguard high standards in key areas such as sustainable development.
UK Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox is reportedly seeking trade deals with Australia and New Zealand. The UK will not be able to start formal trade negotiations until 30 March 2019.
Read more in The Guardian
Australia is also reportedly set to demand that Britain accepts hormone‑treated beef under a post-Brexit trade deal.
Published Tuesday 22 May 2018
Sustainable Farming Campaign: Sustain encourages integration of sustainable food and farming into local, regional and national government policies.
