Thread by @DavidHenigUK

Ok #tradetwitter can we all agree that we're not all going to roll out our pieces from 3 or 5 years ago suggesting that agriculture in trade deals might be a problem, as obviously that was just silly project fear and not at all completely inevitable if government didn't listen

Anyway, with respect to a UK-Australia deal it is not whether their agricultural produce will be allowed into the country tariff free (yes), but:

- unlimited or with quotas
- whether some sensitive products are excluded
- under what conditions e.g. animal welfare
- what we get

Contrary to what the 19th century wing of #tradetwitter believes, the debate on agriculture in an Australia trade deal is what every country should go through in advance of a deal. Indeed, if there is no similar argument in Australia why not? Are we not asking enough?

Ultimately three questions for the UK-Australia deal:

1. Do Australian farmers have to meet similar conditions to UK ones for reduced tariffs?
2. Has Australia agreed to a meaningful climate change chapter?
3. Has the UK gained anything substantial?

Any 'no' is a problem.

As before, my view is the UK should agree zero tariffs for imports in trade deals as long as they meet similar conditions to domestic production. That it seems to me is modern free trade. And it encourages meaningful action on climate change, antimicrobial resistance etc.

My guess is that the Australians do not want to sign up to conditions for a UK trade deal because all precedent suggests government desperation for a deal will lead us to climb down. We shall see, as and when we're allowed to do so.

Passing off as fact two highly contentious statements, that these FTAs would lead to "cheaper grub" (possible but unlikely) and that Australian farmers have "similarly exacting standards". Sums up the pretty vacuous debate.

Important point on animal welfare (also applies to antimicrobial resistance, climate change, much more). This is the modern debate on trade given economic benefits of trade agreements are now so low.

https://twitter.com/iancawsey/status/1394962205100154881