Talks launched in 2018 stalled last year over farm quotas, especially for beef and lamb. Recent progress has revived expectations of a pact that would scrap most tariffs, give EU firms better access to Australian rare-earths and lithium, and open the bloc’s market to more Australian meat.
“Australia is a major player in critical minerals, particularly lithium,” an EU diplomat said, adding that Brussels wants “a secure supply chain in return for agricultural concessions.”
That prospect alarms European farmers already upset by a separate accord with South America’s Mercosur group.
“It’s a salami strategy — slicing away profitable farm sectors for geopolitical goals,” said Jacek Zarzecki, vice-chair of Poland’s Sustainable Beef Platform. He warned that premium Australian beef could crowd out EU exporters; Canberra is seeking to lift its quota from about 8,000 tons to at least 40,000 tons a year.
Poland’s cattle producers fear a repeat of the Mercosur deal, which they dub the “cars-for-cows” deal because it swaps EU market access for Latin-American meat against European auto exports.
Negotiators are racing to bridge remaining gaps on sensitive products before von der Leyen meets Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. If they succeed, the agreement would still require ratification by EU governments and the European Parliament.
(jh)
Source: PAP