Forest Product Industries welcomes progress on China tradeFriday 21 Nov 2014 The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has congratulated the Abbott Government on negotiating a bilateral free trade agreement with China and notes the significant positive potential for export industries. Chief Executive Officer Mr Ross Hampton said, ‘The two-way trade in forest, wood and paper products between China and Australia, expanded exponentially over the past decade and has become extremely important for both countries.’‘The forest, wood and paper products exported from Australia include roundwood (which has increased in value over the last 10 years from AU$35m to AU$251m) 1, waste-paper (AU$10m to AU$150m in value), and woodchips (from nothing in 2003-04 to over AU$150m today). Imports from China to Australia have increased in value over the last ten years from AU$250 m to over AU$1,100m and include paper and paperboard, panels and transformed wood products.’ As the relationship continues to develop over time negotiators should consider: - fair transition arrangements when removing or changing existing import tariff rates, as domestic companies need time to adjust their businesses; - continued support for an effective and internationally compliant antidumping and countervailing system to guard against unfair competition; - increased access for sawn timber product exports to China by Australian producers by reviewing any unnecessary limitations in building codes and standards; and - recognition of Australia’s high standards as they relate to existing biosecurity protocols, given Australian exports of fibre-based wood products, such as woodchips and roundwood, are accepted as low-risk. Source: AFPA |
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