IN MARKET GROWING DEMAND All eyes on EU • A new European Parliament was recently elected; they must approve the final FTA deal between Australia and the EU. • The UK, Australia’s largest red meat market within the EU, is currently scheduled to exit the EU on 31 October. • The European Commission, which negotiates trade agreements on behalf of the EU, will change its political leadership from 1 November. “This means the politicians and officials with whom the Australian Government is currently negotiating will almost In October, MLA co‑invested with 12 Australian exporters to present Australian red meat to morecompletely change, and there’ll be new than 170,000 visitors from 210 countries at the world’s largest food and beverage event, thepeople and new priorities,” Josh said. Anuga Trade Show in Germany. “Building relationships and ensuring that With free trade Europe reflects the value of this market.Australia remains a high priority within agreements (FTAs), “MLA is the only Australian agriculture EU trade policy will be crucial. political changes organisation with a presence in and the impending Brussels and London. This is important ‘Brexit’, market access in the EU because the decisions made in these serves up its share of challenges capitals will affect our market access and opportunities. into the EU and UK for years to come. The EU is the largest economy and “Part of MLA’s role in this market is to largest trading bloc in the world, with ensure European policymakers have a more than 500 million people across 28 full appreciation of the Australian red member states. meat industry and its high standards,” he said. This makes the EU both an attractive “Our objective is to support and complicated trade partner. Australia and the EU have a trade reform and see the long‑standing trade relationship, with liberalisation of the market, Pictured at the Anuga Trade Show MLA stand, bilateral trade worth $109 billion in which showcased True Aussie beef, lamb which will create better and goat, are MLA’s Relationship Manager 2018 – but Australian red meat exports – Industry Marketing Programs, Raelene are currently restricted by the EU’s access and opportunity for Fowlds, and International Business Manager – Europe and Russia, Josh Anderson. low‑volume import quotas and high Australian beef, sheepmeat out‑of‑quota import tariffs. and goatmeat.” “In the meantime, MLA will continue to When Australia fills its country‑specific work with the Australian Government quotas, it is then unable to respond to • MLA is also a member of the and EU policymakers to ensure the additional EU customer demands. Australia–EU Red Meat Market Access best possible outcome for our red meat Australia and the EU are currently Taskforce, which collaborates with the producers in the negotiations to come. negotiating an FTA which will determine Australian Government to position the “MLA also collaborates with the future market access, but political sector for substantial improvements to European agriculture sector on changes within the EU will shape the the EU’s existing import regime. best practice for issues such as direction of those trade talks. • MLA also works with the Australian eating quality and environmental Government and like‑minded standards. Those industry ties are The EU member states need to agree trading partners in the World Trade very important.” ■ on policy by a significant majority and, Organization to ensure Australia’s in some cases, unanimously, which can trade interests are represented Josh Anderson slow decision‑making. under Brexit. E: janderson@mla.com.au MLA’s role Changing the guard MLA International Business Manager Three upcoming political changes Want to know more? Check out – Europe and Russia, Josh Anderson, within the EU are likely to shape the mla.com.au/market‑snapshots for a said MLA’s long‑term presence in direction of future trade talks: more in‑depth look at key markets 44