The announcement of the Australia-United Kingdom free trade agreement (FTA) has been welcomed by national body Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) as the sector looks to further diversify its markets.
“This announcement marks a period of renewed growth and opportunity for the Australian seafood industry, and we look forward to building strong and vibrant relationships with our UK customers,” SIA CEO Veronica Papacosta said.
“Last Friday, prime ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson signed an ‘in-principle’ trade deal between Australia and the United Kingdom. This landmark deal will guarantee tariff-free, quota-free access to the UK market for Australian seafood products.”
Papacosta explained that through the FTA there would be an elimination of tariffs on entry into force (EIF), including those on all finfish and the 12% tariff on fresh and frozen rock lobster.
Remaining tariffs will be eliminated over three years.
“Our great Australian seafood producers will now have access to more than 65 million UK consumers who value our safe, sustainably produced great Australian seafood. While UK consumers will have access to some of the greatest seafood in the world.
“The UK deal will create new and needed opportunities for Australia’s seafood producers in a high-value market,” she said.
Last month, SIA appointed Julie Willis as lead Trade Export Manager to steer the industry’s strategic export market diversification and expansion plans as it recovers from the impacts of COVID and geopolitical tensions.
Willis’ appointment followed the award of a government grant to assist in the development of seafood export markets.
