At a time when farmers are getting smashed by devastating water buybacks and skyrocketing fuel and fertiliser costs, we’ve been hung out to dry for the sake of getting the deal done.” 

That’s the quote from Victorian Farmers Federation president and Quambatook farmer Brett Hosking in response to the Federal Government’s free-trade deal with the European Union.

Reactions were flowing in thick and fast yesterday afternoon as the news broke that our government had agreed to the deal – which seemingly offers no material change for key agricultural commodities as to what the government rejected in 2023.

The National Farmers Federation was ‘extremely disappointed’ and the VFF said farmers ‘have been sold out’. Mr Hosking said it was ‘clear the EU and Australia’s competitors had run rings around our negotiating team, with no improvement secured on the deal Australia rejected three years ago’.

“It’s pretty embarrassing. For farmers, no deal would have been better than what we’ve been dealt,” he said.

“Australian agriculture is a net-exporter and the market access numbers simply don’t stack up. 

“Beef access is a third of what industry was seeking and for sheep meat, New Zealand got five times more. This puts us at the back of the pack going forward and at a disadvantage.

“Consumers could also be set to pay more at the checkout for dairy. 

“This move slugs Aussie brands with harmful geographical indicators that will confuse Australian shoppers and cost them more.

“With greater competition from international brands, shoppers could lose access to buy the local brands they know and love.”

Rupanyup farmer Andrew Weidemann said the deal was exactly what he thought might happen, describing it as a joke and a mess.

“It’s trading away our right to farm and we, as grain growers, livestock producers will just be taxed more to meet the green economy,” he said.

Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the deal hit a sour note with Mallee farmers, describing the deal as ‘bizarre’, although acknowledging that, on face value, there were positives for the wine and almond industries from the deal.

Nationals leader Matt Canavan said it was the ‘worst deal ever’ – a sellout to Australian farmers and Australian interests, offering barely any additional market access for Australian exporters and falling well short of what Australian farmers wanted. 

However, in a statement by Prime Minster Anthony Albanese, he said the deal would ‘strengthen our economic and strategic partnership; demonstrate our mutual commitment to open and rules-based trade; and diversify our trade – bolstering Australia’s competitiveness, growth and resilience in an increasingly uncertain global trade environment’.

He said the trade agreement would result in 98 per cent of the current value of Australia’s exports entering the European Union duty-free, with the government saying Australian farmers and producers would benefit from the elimination of almost all European Union tariffs on agricultural products, including wine, nuts, fruit and vegetables, honey, olive oil, most dairy products, wheat and barley, and seafood.

So, while some producers in our region may see some benefits – particular the wine industry – the reaction from farming bodies indicates it was not a good outcome for most farmers.

What’s your take? Will our farmers or producers benefit from the new free-trade deal? Or will this be another ‘kick in the guts’ for our farmers?

Let me know your thoughts by emailing weeklyadvertiser@aceradio.com.au – letters to the editor are welcomed.

The entire March 25, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire March 25, 2026 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!