14 April 2009
DAFF09/228B

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke is in China and Hong Kong this week to support Australia’s agricultural trade in the region.

Mr Burke will meet with Chinese counterparts including the ministers responsible for agriculture and quarantine and the head of China’s State Forestry Administration.

China is Australia’s second-largest agricultural trading partner, importing around $3 billion a year of Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry products.

Discussions will include strategies to help address illegal forestry activities and the trade in timber products from illegally-logged forests.

Mr Burke is also expected to seek undertakings from China to work collaboratively on supporting global food supplies and to accelerate negotiations to forge a comprehensive free trade agreement that delivers real benefits for Australia’s farming, fishing and forestry industries.

In addition to government-to-government meetings in China, there will be engagement with the Australian private sector, including with the Global Foundation and Fortescue Metals Group and attending the 2009 International Forum on Traditional Chinese Medicine, to discuss bilateral trade opportunities.

“Australia is a leading exporter of food to the world, so any global strategy to address concerns about global food security depends on our ability to supply food freely,” Mr Burke said.

“Our trade interests are strongly aligned with the solution to global food security.

“As major agriculture-producing nations, Australia and China have a shared interest in reducing barriers to international trade.”

In Shanghai, Mr Burke will join Australian industry leaders to promote Australian wine and meat.

Mr Burke is also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on wine with China to help Australia’s vignerons and winemakers to get a foothold in the rapidly growing market.

In Hong Kong, the Minister is expected to sign a separate Memorandum of Understanding on wine, helping to cement Australia as a key player in the region’s fine wine gateway.

Mr Burke will then attend the Boao Forum for Asia, where he will co-chair the Young Leaders Roundtable.

Mr Burke will be accompanied by representatives of the Australian wine, meat and horticulture industries in Shanghai and Beijing.

Following his visit to China, Mr Burke will attend the G8+ Agricultural Ministers’ Meeting and Environment Ministers’ Meeting to discuss global food security and climate change.