Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA), Media Release, 24 October 2023

The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association is urging the Australian Government to stay firm on securing a substantial increase in market access for beef via the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA) negotiations.

ALFA President, Barb Madden said we are grateful for, and applaud, Trade Minister Farrell’s strong leadership to date to push back offers made by his European Union counterpart.

“However, we are calling on him to continue this resolve, lean-in and secure a substantially better outcome.”

“Our expectation is that this deal must deliver significantly improved access for Australian beef producers and the entire beef supply chain,” Mrs Madden said.

“Other key suppliers to the EU have already secured substantive access through their FTA negotiations – upward of 50,000 tonnes – and European pork producers are able export substantial unlimited quantities of their product to Australia.”

“We need the Australian Government to correct the imbalance of our meat trade with Europe and secure comparable FTA outcomes achieved by our competitors,” Mrs Madden said.

ALFA is asking Minister Farrell to stand and deliver the best and fairest deal for our members.

“This once in a generation deal will set Australia’s beef trading landscape with Europe for the foreseeable future – it is simply too valuable in terms of potential export returns and additional market diversification.”

“We know the EU are tough negotiators, but we ask Minister Farrell not to put pen to paper for the sake of just getting a deal done at the upcoming trade meetings in Osaka. The deal must be right and ensure Australian producers have substantially increased access for high-quality Australian beef.”

“Hard working Australian producers, who put their heart and soul into producing sustainable high-quality beef, deserve nothing less,” Mrs Madden said.