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Wednesday, 13 December 2006 The Australian Rice Industry has welcomed the official launch of FTA negotiations between Japan and Australia and has called for an inclusive and comprehensive negotiation. “Japan is an important high value high quality market for Australian rice and we welcome the FTA negotiations, said Mr Laurie Arthur, President of the Ricegrowers Association of Australia Inc. “The Australian and Japanese rice industries have collaborated over a number of years, particularly regarding rice research and much of the equipment in our mills is sourced from Japan. “Although the Australian rice industry is aware of the sensitivities for rice within Japan, Japanese farmers need not be concerned that these negotiations will be detrimental to their rice industry, “On average Australia produces less than 10% of the rice produced in Japan. From this, Australian rice industry needs to supply the Australian domestic market as well as its other important markets around the globe, said Mr Arthur “Australian rice appears as branded food products in 60 countries around the world and Australian rice growers will be seeking negotiation of an FTA that will include free and open access to the Japanese supermarkets, “This FTA will be measured by what it delivers. Any rice specific trade is already a two way street and the Australian rice industry looks forward to an enhancement of these important relationships as an outcome of the FTA negotiations, said Mr Arthur. CONTACT |
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