Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Furner for his question. Australia is a great trading nation. We do have a proud history of trading in agricultural products on the world stage. Last year, Australian farmers exported $30 billion worth of products all around the world. Australian products are world class and Australian farmers are world class. That is why we compete in the global market. The best interests of Australian farmers who want their products being brought to market all around the world are served by ensuring that international trade is open and equitable and is enforced. Australia's membership of the WTO, a rule based global-trading regime, has been at the heart of our success as a trading nation. The enforcement of WTO rules has benefited Australian agriculture products and producers right across.

It is worth noting that, through a science based import risk assessment, the Howard government approved the importation of pig meat from all countries into Australia, salmon from all countries into Australia and table grapes from the United States and Chile into Australia. Through the WTO, Australia has had many wins, including improved market access for lamb in the United States, removal of unfair beef imports and marketing practices that impacted on Australian exports to Korea, which paved the way towards a fourfold increase in beef exports and improved market access to the EU for Australian sugar which, the Aust­ralian Sugar Alliance commented, 'demon­strates WTO rules do work'. The Gillard government strongly supports the Australian farmers, growers and producers and their ability to sell products right around the world. This means the government will always support sensible policies that protect Australia's biosecurity and also protect Australia's ability to participate in the global market. (Time expired)