Australia was left out in the cold when the UK joined the European Union in 1973, but it found other markets and so will Britain, according to Alexander Downer, the Australian Government’s High Commissioner to the UK.
Mr Downer told Trade Session delegates that he sympathised with the UK as it prepares to leave the EU, as Australia found itself in a similarly uncertain situation when its export markets were closed off to it with the formation of the Common Market.
The Australian agricultural sector was forced to restructure and find alternative markets. Two thirds of all Australian production goes to export markets and it is the second least subsidised agricultural sector in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. There is only a three per cent subsidy, which focuses on disaster relief and drought.Mr Downer said: “Government can play a huge role in tearing down barriers to trade that other countries may have. If they can negotiate a strong free trade arrangement and open up the markets then businesses will in turn open up themselves.”
Karen Morgan – Agriculture and Food Counsellor in China at the UK Embassy told delegates that the Chinese market was three times the size of the EU, and its growing middle class was ready to pay a premium for quality food with high standards.
She emphasised that personal relationships were key to developing trade links with China, and that Chinese firms were keen to collaborate with UK firms.
Richard Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms Ltd, spoke on the opportunities for worldwide export. He said: “There are pockets of affluence in many countries around the world, and they’re opening up to British export. The quality of British food is being celebrated now like never before.
“Funding is the biggest single measure the government can help with to help us promote our products to export markets. We’ve seen previous campaigns pay dividends up to ten years later.”
Stan Phillips, USDA Counsellor for Agricultural Affairs from the US Embassy said that he had seen a lot of innovative scientific research taking place in Britain that had been utilised by US farmers. Leaving the EU could enable UK farmers to take advantage of that research. He said that leaving the EU could free up Britain to make decisions based on its own domestic priorities, rather than satisfying the needs of 27 other member states.
Mr Phillips said: “Trade representatives for different organisations can have a big role to play in identifying where the problems are, advising government and enabling it to fight for you.”
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