General News
20 April, 2023
Barley tariff hopes
MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster says she is cautiously optimistic for Australian barley growers following China’s announcement it will review its tariffs on the crop. In May 2020, China imposed tariffs of 80 per cent on Australian barley for five...
MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster says she is cautiously optimistic for Australian barley growers following China’s announcement it will review its tariffs on the crop.
In May 2020, China imposed tariffs of 80 per cent on Australian barley for five years, crippling a trade worth up to $1.5 billion a year.
However Beijing last week announced it would conduct an expedited review over the next three months while in return the Australian Government would suspend its World Trade Organisation appeal on the tariff.
“China is an incredibly important trading partner for us and the removal of these tariffs would be a positive step for our growers,” Dr Webster said.
“These sanctions were not justified in the first place and I know many farmers across Mallee will be waiting to hear the outcome on this.
“The Opposition has supported the Prime Minister and Government in their outreach to many countries in our part of the world, and that will continue.”
Australian barley exports to China peaked at 6.3 million tonnes in 2016-17.
“It is hoped that if the review provided a pathway to have the barley tarrifs lifted then a similar process could be followed with China’s tarrifs on Australian wine,” Dr Webster said.