The FTA provides that all tariffs on UK exports to Australia, and on the vast majority of imports from Australia, will be removed, provided rules of origin are met. Tariffs for certain products, such as beef, sugar and dairy, will be removed in a phased manner.
The NFU has raised concerns about the FTA’s impact on UK farmers. It fears that an increase in imports from Australia could undercut UK farmers. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also raised concerns, saying the deal risked ‘imports produced to lower animal welfare standards than those permitted here’. The Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister stated that the FTA was a threat to local farmers, and the Scottish Government has called for tariff rate quotas to control imports in sensitive sectors, such as beef and sheep meat. The Welsh Government has stated that it is awaiting the ‘exact details’ of the FTA, and that it will then publish a report on its potential impact on Wales.
Further barriers have been removed in relation to investment, digital trade, mobility and other sectors.
Source: UK-Australia free trade agreement
This content was first published by LNB News / Lexis®Library, a LexisNexis® company, on 29 June 2021 and is published with permission. Further information can be found at: https://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/
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