Ashes of beef: UK v Aussie meat on the plate in trade talks

With a historic free trade agreement likely, Aussie beef producers are pushing to have their product on UK supermarket shelves amid fears of opposition from British politicians.

In an Ashes-style clash, Poms are seeking to keep Aussie beef away from their supermarket shelves fearing the top quality product, prompting a challenge for their farmers to go up against ours on a level playing field and “let the best producer win”.

A historic UK-Australia free trade agreement is close to being locked in, with the scrapping of tariffs and quotas on beef that have been in place since the 1970s potentially worth millions of dollars to Queensland farmers.

Some British politicians are pushing back against a zero-tariff plan, fearing the Aussie product would flood their market.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says there needs to be a level playing field on Aussie beef in the UK. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said he had made it clear there should be no trade roadblocks on beef as part of the deal – warning Australia already had bigger markets.

“We’d love to have them (the British) back, but on a level playing field,” he said.

“We’re not going to flood their market because we’ve this thing called Asia to sell to.

“If they think they’re better than Australia beef, they should be prepared to do it on a level playing field. We’ll back our farmers. May the best producer win.”

Queensland’s beef exports are worth $6.2 billion globally, but currently just $18 million to the UK due to strict quotas and a 20 per cent tariff.

While trade talks between Trade Minister Dan Tehan and his UK counterpart have been progressing well, there have been reports of opposition to a zero-tariff deal including from the UK environment secretary George Eustice and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove.

Beef Australia chair Bryce Camm. Picture: Supplied

But British press were reporting yesterday UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was leaning towards a zero-tariff deal, though no official announcement had been made.

Beef Australia chair, and CEO of Toowoomba-based Camm Agriculture Group, Bryce Camm said Australia had long supported open, free, liberalised trade.

“Global demand for Australia beef is really strong, we supply to 132 countries,” he said.

“It’s well known for it’s quality, it’s safety and the standards it’s governed by, which has given it a great reputation around the world.

“If the whispers are correct and Minister Tehan has been able to get a zero-tariff deal, that’s a great outcome not only for Australia and our producers, but it’s a great deal for the UK as well.”