Herds Conference- Be Informed, Engaged and Vocal!

18 April 2005

Herds Conference- Be Informed, Engaged and Vocal!

Be informed, engaged and vocal. This was the message Suse Reynolds, Executive Director of the Trade Liberalisation Network, left with dairy farmers when she spoke about their role in international trade development.

Reynolds told the Large Herds audience to write to government when the
publics’ view is sought on proposed trade agreements.

“An A-4 sheet of paper with three points on it is far more likely to get a response than a 20 page submission,” said Reynolds.

Speaking about international trade development Reynolds said it would be another year to two before the current trade round concluded and several years after that before returns from improved market access would be seen in farm profit levels.

On bilateral and regional deals Reynolds said she disagreed with economic commentators who maintained these were unhelpful to trade liberalisation.

“Beneath these deals lies a drive to shore-up market access and a reassuring commitment to lowering barriers to trade.

“I believe business would far rather deal with a ‘spaghetti bowl’ of tangled relationships, than no bowl at all. Improving market access is better that no access at all,” she said.

ENDS

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