Gloucester beef farmer, Robert Mackenzie was pretty stoked when he got the phone call from the BBC for comment on the 'in-principle' agreement to phase out United Kingdom import tariffs.
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Robert was contacted as the announcement was being made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson just after the G7 Summit last month held in the United Kingdom.
A BBC reporter boarded a plane from Brisbane to meet Robert at one of his Gloucester beef properties.
His minute-and-a-half video interview was included in a news report published online by the BBC on June 15 that touched on how the agreement will impact UK beef farmers.
Robert's comments reflected that of UK Trade Secretary Liz Truss, indicating that Australian beef won't flood the British market.
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"It's another avenue for Australian beef to be on the world stage," Robert said. "Australia doesn't have enough product to flood the market."
It's another avenue for Australian beef to be on the world stage.
- Robert Mackenzie
Not only was Robert chuffed that he was chosen to represent Australian beef farmers, he also thought it was a great way to promote Gloucester.
"For Gloucester to be showcased through the BBC, on the world stage, it's great for the region and Australian beef," Robert said.
For Robert, who already has a portion of his Black Angus beef exported overseas, the trade deal means that the UK will be another addition to his list of export countries.
"The UK is looking for a high-end market which fits right into our hands - supplying high-quality Angus product in the marketplace," he explained. "It's smart business for Australia and the UK to work together. Not only for the friendship but to support each other."
It's smart business for Australia and the UK to work together. Not only for the friendship but to support each other.
- Robert Mackenzie
Robert admits the announcement wasn't unexpected, in fact, his company has already engaged a distributor in the UK for high-end supermarkets and food service.
The in-principle agreement between Australia and the UK outlines a phasing out of import taxes for a range of agricultural products.
Beef and sheep meat tariffs will be eliminated after 10 years with duty-free quotas rising over the period, while sugar duties will be phased out over eight years and dairy tariffs scrapped after five years of increased quotas.
"Australia is welcoming the prospect of sending product 'home'," Robert said.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
