21 November 1995
Media Release
McMullan to visit Washington for agricultural talks
The Minister for Trade, Senator Bob McMullan, said today he will visit
Washington next week for talks with key Administration and Congressional
leaders to discuss agricultural trade policies and other bilateral issues.
"The situation in Washington is fluid, but it appears that efforts
to secure agreement on a new US Farm Bill may be reaching a critical stage,"
Senator McMullan said.
"Current indications are that this will be an important time to inject
Australia's interests into the final deliberations on the Farm Bill.
"We want to ensure that Australia's agricultural interests are protected,
particularly in the area of export subsidies for dairy and grains.
"Current Congressional proposals indicate a substantial and welcome
shift in US farm support programs toward more market-oriented policies,
including reductions in the Export Enhancement Program (EEP).
"But there is still some way to go to make this a reality, and current
proposals do not include any reductions to the Dairy Export Incentive Program
(DEIP).
"This is of major concern to the Australian Government and the dairy
industry."
Senator McMullan said he expects to be joined in Washington by senior representatives
of Australia's agricultural industries, including the NFF, the Australian
Dairy Industry Council and the Grains Council of Australia.
"This will underscore the strong working relationship between the Australian
government and industry, and highlight our determination to protect Australia's
agricultural industries."
Senator McMullan's Washington visit will follow a meeting with trade ministers
from middle-sized countries in Vancouver, Canada, on 23 and 24 November.
"The Vancouver meeting will be on prospects for renewed multilateral
negotiations on trade liberalisation," Senator McMullan said.
Further information: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420