The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has reiterated its support for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact despite the failure to reach agreement following the latest round of talks in Maui, Hawaii.
This round has failed to deliver outcomes on a number of sensitive issues and NFF reiterates the importance of reaching final agreement on a comprehensive and trade liberalizing pact that will deliver real benefits for Australian farmers.
NFF understand the Ministers from the twelve participating countries have made significant progress during the talks this week and recognises agriculture is always one of the most difficult areas to reach agreement on.
Good outcomes across the board for Australian agriculture from the TPP has always been the objective for the NFF and sustained commitment is again required to bring the agreement to a close and ensure it provides commercial value back to the farm sector.
As talks wind up in Maui, it is disappointing a deal that would provide improved outcomes for Australian farmers has not been concluded but NFF recognises the hard work of Minister Robb and the government officials in what has been a challenging round of negotiations.
The NFF remains a firm supporter of the TPP as a key platform to drive increased trade and investment. A good agreement will provide significantly improved opportunities for Australian farmers to sell products to markets we know are demanding high quality food and fibre.
The TPP would be the world’s largest regional free trade agreement with the 12 countries involved accounting for around 40 per cent of the global economy and comprising more than 800 million people.
The TPP is being negotiated between Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.
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