FARMING unions and industry leaders have raised concerns over a tariff-free trade deal with Australia.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson today confirmed that a trade deal with Australia eliminating tariffs on all UK goods had been agreed with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a meeting in Downing Street last night.

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales – have today raised concerns that the deal could lead to an immediate nearly ten-fold increase in tariff-free imports of Australian beef, and a potential doubling of lamb imports in the first year of the deal.

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) Chief Executive Gwyn Howells said, “The figures from the Australian Government suggest that, under this deal, the country will have an immediate right to export almost ten times as much beef, and twice as much lamb, to the UK as it does now.

“This news will do little to calm fears in our domestic livestock sector concerning the need to keep a level playing field. We produce to high standards in terms of welfare, not using hormones and other supplements used in some production systems overseas.

“We also produce beef and lamb very sustainably. Increasing our dependence on foreign produce risks importing food with a higher carbon footprint, which cannot be positive for our commitments on climate change or our food security.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has called on Members of Parliament to do all they can to fully scrutinise and have a say on the deal.

“We have grave concerns that we could end up with a deal that’s catastrophic for animal welfare, the environment, our family farms and our food security - and that it will be set in stone,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

He added: “MPs must do all they can to prevent a culture of ‘ignore the warnings, get it done and deal with the consequences later’ predominating when it comes to this and other trade deals.

“We have made it clear during our meetings and in correspondence with all Welsh MPs that we are not opposed to a UK-Australia deal, but we are opposed to a damaging deal that paves the way for further deals that add to that damage,” he added.

NFU Cymru President John Davies said in response to the deal: “At this stage it is very difficult to see what tangible benefits this trade agreement is going to deliver for our network of Welsh family farms, while the likely negative impacts of increased imports over time are a lot more apparent. NFU Cymru has made clear its concerns that this trade agreement with Australia could adversely affect our ambitions to sustainably grow the £7.5 billion Welsh food and drink industry – Wales’ biggest employer.

“Just as importantly, we hold legitimate concerns as to the social and cultural impact this trade deal could have and its effect on Welsh language and culture – things that cannot be measured in GDP but are, nevertheless, integral to the fabric of our communities and heritage.”

The UK Government says British farmers will be protected by a cap on tariff-free imports for 15 years, using tariff rate quotas and other safeguards.

Under the agreement, Brits under the age of 35 will be able to travel and work in Australia more freely, opening exciting opportunities for young people.