Standing Committee on Agriculture - NFF submission to the Inquiry into Export Control Amendment (Ending

The NFF believes Cabinet and caucus have made the live export decision without considering the scientific and industry data presented in the consultation process to the detriment of all sectors of agriculture. [...] The NFF rejects the current assistance package as a token gesture and sees the only satisfactory outcome is the continuation of the trade in live sheep. [...] The NFF is the Secretariat of the Cairns Group Farm Leaders, a group that seeks to ‘progress agricultural trade liberalisation within the World Trade Organisation (WTO).’ The NFF advances the cause of open trade through the World Farmers Organisation, delivers the DFAT-funded International Engagement Strategy project, operates a dedicated Trade Committee and regularly convenes inbound and outbound. [...] Further, given the intrinsic role trade plays in the success of the sector, the pursuit of the phase-out policy unfortunately calls into question the Government’s commitment to the sector’s $100 billion 2030 aspiration. [...] While assurances may be given by the Minister of the day regarding the cattle trade, the most enduring commitment that could be made to the live cattle trade, and cattle industry more broadly, would be not to proceed with the sheep export phase-out.