[ianch99]

Here's a Farmer's perspective:

https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/anger...-is-finalised/

NFU president Minette Batters criticised the UK government for agreeing to Australian demands to time-limit safeguards for sensitive sectors.

Despite assurances that these sectors would be afforded some level of protection, we will see full liberalisation of dairy after just six years, sugar after eight years and beef and lamb after 15 years.

In addition, she said there are no safeguards for any products if imports reach damaging levels after the 15-year period is over.

The UK also agreed to beef and lamb quotas which favour imports of high value cuts, despite this being the end of the market where British farmers tend to derive value.

Ms Batters said it is difficult to discern anything in the deal that allows us to control imports of food produced below the standards legally required of British farmers – for example land deforestation for cattle production or systems relying on transport of live animals in a manner that would be illegal in the UK.

The sheep farmers seem particularly impacted:

National Sheep Association (NSA) expressed grave disappointment over the official signing of the deal.

When news of the agreement in principle was announced in summer, the association called for the use of a licensing procedure to manage seasonality disruption and the use of a whole carcase weight co-efficient to help manage high volumes of single and boned out cuts.

Chief executive Phil Stocker commented: “We have no confidence that this licensing procedure has been or is now being considered. We are told the deal still has to be scrutinised by parliament and TAC, but from recent experiences we can be sure this will be a formality rather than an opportunity for positive amendments to be made.”

The deal will see the Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) for lamb more than triple immediately, from roughly 8,000 tonnes annually to 25,000, and then grow over 10 years to 125,000 tonnes. At current consumption rates that is equivalent to more than 40% of the UK’s total sheepmeat needs.