Beef, wine and spirits — how Aussies and Brits talk trade

As Brexit looms, Queensland is set to reap the benefits from a trade deal with Britain. Beef, wine, spirits and easier access to live and work in the UK are all on the table.

QUEENSLAND’S exports to the UK could top $1 billion for the first time in almost a decade as our closest ally seeks to stitch up a trade deal with Australia as the Brexit deadline looms.

Britain is also pushing to make it easier for Aussies and Poms to live and work in each other’s countries, while scotch and gin prices could come down in Australia if a deal is struck.

Farmers would benefit if European Union tariffs limiting Aussie access to the British market, particularly on beef, can be lifted under the deal.

British Trade Secretary Liz Truss met with her Australian counterpart Simon Birmingham yesterday with the pair saying a deal could be struck “within months, not years” of Britain leaving the EU.

COAL UNDERPINS $14 BILLION TRADE BOOM WITH CHINA

QUEENSLAND SUGAR MILLS 95 PER CENT FOREIGN OWNED

Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham and Britain’s International Trade Secretary Liz Truss at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

Senator Birmingham made it clear the agriculture will be firmly on the agenda when the formal talks kick off, saying negotiations will be “comprehensive and ambitious”.

“It’s no secret that as part of the EU, market access in terms of agricultural products has been limited,” he said.

“That is something that … we seek to address and to ensure much stronger access for our farmers and our farm businesses into the future.”

About $40 million worth of Queensland beef is exported to the UK each year, which could dramatically increase if tariff restrictions were eased or lifted.

The UK as an export market worth almost $27 billion to the nation, including about $800 million a year in Queensland exports.

While Prime Minister Scott Morrison has previously poured cold water on the idea of a “freedom of movement” agreement, allowing Australians and Britons to leave and work in each others countries without a visa, Ms Truss said it would be on the agenda.

Have a cow, man. Queensland will seek to export more beef to the UK under any trade deal struck post Brexit.

“Our two countries have a special link and historic relationship. It’s certainly something we will be looking at as part of our trade negotiations,” she said.

“I notice that one of our top exports to you is spirits and your top export to us is wine. So there’s more to be done in terms of lowering tariff in those areas as well.”

Despite history ties, Australia’s agricultural products including beef have struggled to get access to the UK since the 1970s when Britain joined the EU.