NORTH EAST AND GOULBURN MURRAY
Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria Published since 1984
AUGUST, 2014
37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677
PAGES 12-17
PAGES 20-21
Livestock
Hay and silage
$1 at newsagents
Japan set to enjoy good Aussie drop Wine tariff cut set to increase export trade
LOVING THE LAMB: Elizabeth Sutton joined a record number of visitors and exhibitors at the 2014 Australian Sheep & Wool Show, showcasing the best of Australia’s world-class wool, prime lamb and fibre fashion industries. See page 7 for full story.
OPPORTUNITIES have opened up for local wineries in North East Victoria to enter into the lucrative Japanese wine market after a partnership agreement was signed between Australia and Japan. The Japan Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) has now been signed by the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott. The wine market is only just developing in Japan and with the phase out of tariffs for Australian wine over the next seven years it is expected that the Japanese will soon be able to get more of a taste of what Australia has to offer.
BY JODIE FLEMING
jfleming@ nenews.com.au
The agreement is expected to reopen doors by providing valuable preferential access for Australia’s exports with the elimination of the 15 per cent import tariff which now includes bottled, sparkling and bulk wine. Winemakers’ Federation of Australia Strategy & International Affairs general manager Tony Battaglene said the agreement is about developing export opportunities and giving wine a “step up” in the evolving Japanese market.
“Currently our sixth largest market by value and volume, wine consumption there is growing rapidly as the younger generation moves away from traditional products to wines. “We are expecting to see strong growth in sparkling and still grape wines, with targeted sales of middle-to-premium Australian wine brands. “Just look at our major competitors such as Chile, which enjoyed significant increases in market share in Japan after completion of its Free Trade Agreement in 2007. “Australia now has the opportunity to follow suit,” Mr Battaglene said. Continued page 6
For all your renewable energy solutions for the home, farm or business. Locally owned & operated Solar power; - Grid Connect - Stand alone - Hybrid (battery back up to grid) Solar hot water Solar water pumping Camping and caravanning solutions
12 Volt power solutions Solar powered gates Mobile solar powered charging devices including phone and trickle chargers
INTEREST FREE TERMS AVAILABLE
Anything Solar for Everything Solar!
Crn Melrose Dr & Roadshow Dr Wodonga Phone 02 6024 7511 Fax 02 6024 7911 www.anythingsolar.com.au
Clean Energy Council Accredited. VIC Lic: 20830 NSW Lic: 229759C
j/21d10067/32-14