WHILE applauding the Federal Government’s progress on forging free trade agreements (FTAs) with a number of key Asian trading partners, exporters are urging a strong focus in minimising import restrictions caused by non tariff measures (NTMs).
NTMs are measures applied by countries, other than tariffs, which can restrict imports.
They can include measures applied at the border including customs documentation and licence requirements, and measures applied behind the border such as technical regulations, standards and testing requirements.
Andrew Weidemann, chairman of Grain Producers Australia (GPA), said vigilance was required if Australia was to see the full benefits of the FTAs.
“We feel NTMs are a serious problem in terms of limiting market access,” he said.
“Australia has the FTA with China, but these artificial barriers to trade that crop up on certain issues such as phytosanitary requirements make a mockery of the FTA and how it is supposed to work.”
Meanwhile, the Export Council of Australia (ECA) has taken steps to combat the issue of NTMs, setting up a feature on its website that allows companies to report technical barriers they are facing in export markets.
Chief Executive Officer of the ECA, Lisa McAuley said Asian export markets in particular have been increasing the range, level, sophistication and coordination of NTMs.
“We are pleased to be taking steps to assist our members and the broader international trade community by increasing their awareness of NTMs, what they are, how they can be reported and what avenues exist to address them,” she said.
Mr Weidemann said it was frustrating for Australian grain exporters that when there was lower demand for Australian grain in China there appeared to be more issues with phytosanitary requirements.
“It’s no secret there are issues with cereal grain going into China at present.”
