FTA / APSA engagement with the Minister for Agriculture

Further to our correspondence on 18 October 2023 and meeting with Senator the Hon Murray Watt on 30 August 2023, Freight  & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) received an official Ministerial response on 31 October 2023 - refer HERE  FTA / APSA responded on Monday 6 November 2023 addressing industry reporting performance, biosecurity systems and process reforms, interim communications, import cost recovery and broader supply chain costs.

Importantly, our latest correspondence highlights that increased biosecurity cost recovery imposed on importers comes at a time when landside international trade supply chain costs are also rapidly increasing.  FTA / APSA have presented the Minister with an opportunity to change the narrative with a "good news story" demonstrating a whole of government approach to curb inflationary pressures for goods, facilitation of international trade and importantly, underpinned by world class biosecurity systems - refer HERE (Appendix A available HERE) We look forward to ongoing engagement with the Minister on these important matters. Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF