Farmers welcome new plan to break down barriers constraining Aussie farm exports

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed a plan by the Government to up the ante in tackling non-tariff trade barriers (NTBs) that constrain Australian exports.
NFF President, Fiona Simson, said the NTB Action Plan released today by the Government was critical for maintaining and growing international markets.
“With the successful conclusion of preferential trade agreements with some of our key trade partners, and the lowering of tariffs, non-tariff barriers present increasing obstacles to Australia’s farm exports,” Ms Simson said.
From simple administrative mistakes that holdup product on wharves to unexpected changes to regulatory standards and unnecessary biosecurity requirements, NTBs come in many forms.
The NTB Action Plan will ensure a whole-of-government response to bringing down these barriers as quickly as possible.
The plan will make it easier for exporters to report NTBs when they arise, and arm our front-line officials with the information needed to tackle them.
Over time, the strategy will provide the data needed to assess those actions that have been effective, those that have not, and what more industry and government can do together to bring down NTBs.
The Plan supports the NFF’s 2030 Roadmap that aims to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in the number of agricultural exports held up by NTBs each year by 2030.
“The NFF congratulates the Government on taking forward this important initiative that compliments the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources’ work to address non-tariff measures,” Ms Simson said.