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Farmers fear prospect of tariff-free trade deal with Australia
THREAT: Unfettered trade with Australia would undermine the viability of Scottish farming.
Scottish beef and lamb production could be decimated and the rural economy severely impacted if a tariff-free trade deal is signed with Australia, the UK’s farmers’ unions have said.
Cabinet ministers are expected to discuss a possible Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Australia later this week, with an ambition of shaking hands on a deal at the G7 summit in Cornwall next month.
However Ministers are reportedly split over the negotiations, and it is understood Environment Secretary George Eustice is at loggerheads with International Trade Secretary Liz Truss over granting tariff-free access to Australian farmers under any proposed deal.