Agricultural Traceability Roundtable (Amsterdam, Netherlands, Brussels, Belgium)
Are there opportunities for future collaboration and constructive dialogue on agricultural trade between Australia and the European Union?
Yes, based on in-person talks between Australian business representatives and their European counterparts in Amsterdam and Brussels.
Export Council of Australia, Australia’s Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) in Brussels, and Australian industry representatives, including from the grains, cattle and wool industries, met recently with European private sector and EC officials.
The roundtable discussions focussed on how traceability could facilitate trade of agricultural products (specifically food and fibre).
Australia highlighted our ongoing enhancement of our traceability systems to support the quality, safety and environmental claims in our agricultural exports.
We also noted that while such efforts can help meet EU regulations, we looked to the EU to ensure these standards do not inadvertently act to impede trade.
The European response was encouraging. ECA officials helpfully explained the administrative processes involved in meeting regulations such as the EU General Food Law, Life Cycle Assessment and Product Environmental Footprint, Novel Food Regulation, Organic Certification, and Geographical Indications.
Both European private and public sector contacts noted that there are ways to navigate the regulatory landscape, and are willing to explore ways to assist Australia improve its understanding and managing of the EU’s administrative processes.
We look forward to building on this engagement, especially through the mechanism of agricultural traceability. We thank our Australian and European friends involved in the agricultural traceability discussions.
Peter Creaser; Wim Verstraaten; Nicolas Guth; Rafael Perez Berbejal; Monika Turek; Elizabeth Guttenstein; Mauro CORDELLA; Knut Ruetters; Antonia Loncar; Matthew East; Dolores N.; Mark Scott; Denni Francisco; Olivier DUGARDYN; Esra Zorer; Lorna James; Stefanie Behrendt; Jacob Davidson; Katelyn Lubcke; Emma Boughen; Barry Large; Robin Cornelius; Tony Tonnaer; Tiago Torrin Itoh Viergever; Olexander Horin; Arnold Jorge; Stefanie Harter