Tariff cuts mark big changes for Australian producers

Live cattle and Australian raw wool are just some of the goods on which tariffs have been eliminated.

Live export tariffs will be eliminated under new rules, which came into effect on January 1. Picture: FILE

A SWATHE of changes to tariffs on Australian goods came into effect on Tuesday, eliminating or reducing costs for key exports.

The cuts are expected to help farmers have better access to overseas markets, said Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud.

"Tariffs on our farm produce going to China will be largely eliminated on January 1,” Mr Littleproud said.

"Just some of the benefits are Our farmers will sell more dairy into Canada through a new quota, more rice into Japan, and no longer face tariffs on sheepmeat or pork into Mexico.

"We're giving our farmers more options overseas so they can sell where they choose, not just to the supermarkets here in Australia,” he said.

"Australia exported more than $12.5billion of agricultural produce to CPTPP countries last financial year, representing almost a quarter of Australia's total ag exports.”

With another tariff cut having come into effect only days ago, exporters have received two reductions in three days, thanks in part to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The long list of eliminated tariffs includes:

The 9per cent tariff on kangaroo hides and skins and the 14per cent tariff on kangaroo leather

The 15per cent tariff on cotton seeds

All tariffs on live animal exports, including live cattle exports

Beef tariffs into Canada

All remaining tariffs on Australian raw wool exports

Originally published as Tariff cuts mark big changes for Australian producers