As an export-oriented industry, open, competitive, and reliable access to international markets is essential for maintaining grower profitability, supporting regional economies, and sustaining Australia’s role in global food security. In an increasingly volatile and competitive global trading environment, it is vital that Australia secures a stable, rules-based, and predictable system supported by strong trade agreements and effective technical market access arrangements.
GRAINGROWERS SUPPORTS:
- The critical role of international trade in supporting the profitability, competitiveness, and long-term viability of the Australian grain industry.
- A stable, predictable, and rules-based global trading environment that provides certainty for both exporters and buyers.
- Open and efficient international grain trade meets global demand, helping to address shortages and strengthen global food security.
- Continued trade liberalisation to reduce tariffs, address trade distortions, and improve market opportunities for Australian grain exports.
- A level playing field in global grain trade that ensures Australian growers can compete fairly in international markets.
- A strong and effective World Trade Organisation framework to uphold global trading rules and resolve disputes efficiently.
GRAINGROWERS RECOGNISES:
- As an export-oriented industry, effective trade agreements are critical for the Australian grain industry.
- Australian growers are some of the least subsidised in the world and are therefore disproportionately impacted by global trade distortions such as high tariffs and subsidies, which reduce the competitiveness and limit access for Australian grain.
- Capturing the ongoing benefits of trade liberalisation will require Australia’s trade negotiations to continue to focus on traditional barriers, such as tariffs and tariff‑rate quotas, along with broader technical market access issues and multilateral engagement.
- Australia faces increasing global volatility including geopolitical tensions, trade protectionism and supply chain disruptions.
- Diversification and expansion into new markets can enhance the long-term resilience of the grain industry, and safeguard against future disruptions.
- That increasing trade protectionism, including tariffs, export bans, and subsidies, can distort markets, limit food availability, and undermine global food security.
- That close industry-government collaboration is critical for identifying and resolving emerging trade barriers and ensuring sustainable, long-term export opportunities for Australian grain.
- The important role that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Agriculture Counsellors play in securing and maintaining technical market access.
GRAINGROWERS SEEKS:
- Secure long-term funding for the Agriculture Counsellor network and DAFF technical staff.
- Stronger collaboration between industry and government to identify emerging trade barriers, advocate for reforms, and defend Australia’s competitive interests.
- Continued negotiation and expansion of high-quality preferential trade agreements that secure and improve access to existing and emerging grain markets.
- Increased focus on reducing non-tariff barriers, including technical market requirements, through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms.
- Ongoing commitment to a strong and effective World Trade Organisation system to maintain rules-based trade and resolve disputes fairly.