National Farmers’ Federation advises government not to accept a ‘dud deal’ on EU free trade agreement

The government has been advised to walk away from a free trade deal with the EU if does not serve in Australia’s national interest as the Albanese government attempts to progress negotiations.

National Farmers Federation chief executive Tony Mahar has advised the government to walk away from Australia-EU free trade negotiations if it is offered “a dud deal”, amid efforts from Anthony Albanese and senior ministers to clinch agreement.

Mr Mahar, who is in Brussels at the same time as Trade Minister Don Farrell is in town ­wrestling with “really tough” trade talks, said the number of countries that had to be negotiated with brought challenges and complexities.

“Trade agreements are difficult to sign bilaterally, right? So between Australia and China or Australia and Japan, I mean, they’re difficult issues to get agreement on because agriculture is so culturally sensitive. It’s economically sensitive,” he told ABC’s Afternoon Briefing.

“It is difficult when you get the EU, 29-odd countries all together in one bloc, trying to get things that make their constituents happy.”

The NFF boss said he had been working with Senator Farrell and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt “in terms of commercial outcomes for farmers … and if we don’t get those outcomes, then our advice to government is to walk away. It’s not worth doing a dud deal just for the sake of it,” he said.

“These negotiations have been going on for a number of years. Our advice to government is (to) let the dust settle a little bit, come back in a few months’ time, have another go. It’s too important not to get it right.

Anthony Albanese with French President Emmanuel Macron. Picture: AFP

“We want to make sure that we get this right for Australian farmers from the first day for the decades that follow.”

The key sticking point in negotiations is believed to be securing a commercially meaningful market access for Australian beef, sheep meat, sugar and dairy into the EU.

The Prime Minister, who was due to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron to partake in free-trade talks on Tuesday, said Australia wouldn’t sign up to a deal that wasn’t in the country’s interest.

“My message to President Macron will be that we want to conclude this agreement but that we won’t be signing up to things that are not in Australia’s national interest. In particular, we want access to European markets, and we want to have the mutual benefit that comes from free trade between Australia and Europe,” he said.

“France … has raised some issues but I’m confident they can be worked through and I’ll be having an open and constructive discussion with President Macron. But we’re not asking for anything that other countries have not received. It is important Australia gets access to those markets, and the world benefits from trade. One in four Australian jobs is dependent upon trade which is why this agreement is so important.”

Senator Farrell also stood firm in a sign he was heeding the advice of Mr Mahar.