Australia's Dairy Sector Faces Challenges in EU Trade Negotiations

The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) in Australia is urging the federal government to maintain a firm stance in ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union. The NFF argues that a substandard free trade agreement (FTA) could harm Australian farmers and the national interest, particularly within the dairy sector.

NFF President Hamish McIntyre highlighted that while Australian producers support market access, the terms must be fair and reciprocal. He emphasized that agriculture's commitment to open trade should not be compromised by an agreement that could result in uneven competition for local producers.

Ben Bennett, President of Australian Dairy Farmers, specifically warned that the proposed FTA poses a significant risk to the domestic dairy industry. He noted that the EU currently exports more than 70,000 tonnes of subsidized dairy products into Australia annually, while Australian dairy exports to the EU are much lower.

The NFF also flagged concerns over the EU's push to protect certain geographical food names, such as parmesan and feta, which they consider culturally insensitive due to their long history of use in Australia.

As the Albanese government continues discussions with the EU, the NFF's stance signals rising pressure from agricultural stakeholders to secure a trade deal that supports Australian exporters without sacrificing domestic industry viability.