THE Australian Sugar Industry Alliance has sent in two high profile Australian sugar industry representatives, Warren Males and Dominic Nolan, to critical trade talks in the United States this week.
Pressure is mounting to conclude the all-important Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement; a proposed trade agreement involving 12 nations. Being the last negotiations before the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Ministerial meeting slated for May, Males and Nolan will be continuing to press the case for the TPP to be a modern 21st century trade agreement that includes new market access opportunities for sugar.
It’s long been a sticky topic for the Australian sugar industry, with sugar traditionally regarded as a sensitive commodity in trade talks, but according to Paul Schembri of the Australian Sugar Industry Alliance (ASA), this retrograde thinking simply has no place in this day and age and Australian farmers will be pushing back hard against being used as a senseless trade-off.
“An agreement that entrenches the status quo is not an option,” Mr Schembri said.
“Improved access for Australian sugar must be a part of any modern agreement,” he said.
As far as Mr Schembri is concerned, he believes that it is nothing short of strange that those opposing the TPP would deny improved access for Australian sugar and other agricultural exports to the important North American and Asian markets.
“It’s ironic that the US supports such a heavily protectionist system at home when it rails against such structures in Canada and is looking to open access to Japan’s agricultural markets.
“To the Australian sugar industry the TPP means opportunity. Trade brings people together, it creates jobs, it lifts incomes, and it builds strong economies and communities.
“The TPP negotiations give Australia a golden opportunity to get in and fix unfair trade rules – rules which are disadvantaging Australia’s agricultural industries.
“Exclusions only serve to distort the world market, impacting the ability of export customers to access the most competitive sugar available on the market.”
Mr Schembri said that, unlike our sugarcane and sugar beet producing cousins in the US, Australian cane growers do not enjoy the benefits of a complicated sugar price support system that is based on a domestic supply management system.
Meanwhile the pressure to conclude talks is on and President Obama is reportedly seeking the “most far reaching and progressive” congressional authority to conclude the TPP.
The Australian Sugar Industry Alliance remains doggedly focused on improving sugar access in Japan, Mexico and the U.S.
“There is absolutely no reason unsubsidised Australian sugar should be denied access to the US market.
“To do so would be contrary to the US sugar industry’s claim that it is ‘highly efficient and would thrive in a subsidy-free market’. The TPP offers an opportunity to put the U.S. industry’s claim to the test.”
