COORDINATED GOVERNMENT/INDUSTRY STRATEGY ON U.S. FARM BILL

The Government and peak rural organisations have stepped up lobbying activity to ensure the 1995 United States Farm Bill accommodates and recognises Australia's interests, the Minister for Trade, Senator Bob McMullan, and the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, Senator Bob Collins, said today.

The Ministers said the more intense lobbying was part of a coordinated strategy initiated in mid-1994 with the establishment of a joint government/industry working group.

"There have been two formal meetings of the group, and out of those meetings a 1995 Farm Bill strategy was developed and adopted," the Ministers said.

"A set of priorities and a timetable for action was formulated.

"The strategy will coordinate government and industry efforts to influence the development of US agricultural policy, through the 1995 Farm Bill, to ensure Australian agricultural products can be fairly traded on world markets.

"As part of the strategy, we will both be visiting the United States in coming months.

"It is crucial to Australia's interests that the 1995 Farm Bill is consistent with both the letter and the spirit of US commitments made in the Uruguay Round agreement.

"The government and industry will make every effort to ensure the Bill does not contain elements detrimental to Australia's interests," the Ministers said.

Next week, NFF President, Don McGauchie, and representatives of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy and the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, will address a Washington conference on Australian experiences in agricultural policy reform.

As chair of the Cairns Group of fair trading nations, Senator McMullan organised a contact network of the Washington-based representatives of Cairns Group member nations which has been monitoring the Farm Bill debate and voicing the Group's concerns. Ambassador Don Russell is the Australian representative.

The 1990 Farm Bill expires at the end of 1995, necessitating the passage of a new Farm Bill to renew or replace existing US farm programs.

US agricultural support policies will be closely scrutinised and debated as the shaping of the new Bill - the 1995 Farm Bill - takes place.

In the face of budgetary and other pressures, there is scope for real change in the level and nature of support delivered to US farmers.

Efforts to influence the development of the 1995 Farm Bill are being aimed at policy and decision makers in the Congress and Administration, and leaders of various farm and other interest groups.

Further information:

Senator McMullan's office: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420

Senator Collins' office: Brian Johnstone, (06) 277 7520

DFAT: Julia Feeney, (06) 261 1890

DPIE: Paul Ross, (06) 272 4552