Treaties and agreements

Introduction

Australia formalised its commitment to enhanced cooperation with the EU by signing the Joint Declaration on Relations between Australia and the European Union (1997). The Declaration aimed to renew dialogue between the two groups on trade objectives set by previous bilateral agreements, such as the Australia-European Community Trade in Wine Agreement (1994), and on collaboration in development cooperation programs in the Asia-Pacific. This increased level of cooperation reflects the further integration of the EU and its enhanced role in global economic policy.

• market access issues
• rule-making issues
• issues related to development

The two sides have sought an outcome in these areas consistent with the WTO Doha Development Agenda (2000), and with the agenda set by the Agricultural Trade and Marketing Experts' Group, both of which have negotiated ways of implementing international agriculture and trade policies. The two have further worked to create regulatory frameworks for internal and international trade, such as the Office International des Epizooties, the International Plant Protection Convention and the Codex Alimentarius.

The following discusses some of the bilateral treaties and agreements affecting trade between Australia and the EU. These include:

• Consumer Protection Arrangement (2002)
• Mutual Recognition Agreement on Conformity Assessment (1998)
• Wine Agreement (1994)

Consumer Protection Arrangement

Australia is the first country to have signed a consumer protection arrangement with the EU. The Consumer Protection Arrangement (2002) aims to improve the exchange of information on consumer affairs issues and to develop understandings of respective consumer policies and legislation with regard to cross-border consumer transactions, e-commerce and produce safety. It allows for joint activities in these areas between Australian consumer protection agencies and their overseas counterparts.

Mutual Recognition Agreement on Conformity Assessment

The Mutual Recognition Agreement on Conformity Assessment (MRA) (1998) aims to enforce the testing of products that are traded between Australia and the EU for compliance with regulatory standards. The agreement covers the regulation of machinery, electrical and telecommunications equipment and automotive products, and of manufacturing practice for medical and pharmaceutical products. This is aimed at enhancing trade between the two groups by removing the time delays and duplicated costs of seeking regulatory approval in the importing country. Australia's Joint Declaration with the EU has outlined the further aim of simplifying the implementation of the MRA and removing existing restrictions.

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Wine Agreement

Wine is one of Australia's largest exports, worth over $1 billion annually and exported to many EU countries such as Italy and the United Kingdom. The Australia-European Community Trade in Wine Agreement (1994) aims to ensure a continuing and expanding market for wine originating in both Australia and the EU and to enable Australia's wine producers to continue using a common practice in its exports. Regular meetings are held on export regulations, labelling regulations and the promotion of Australian wine between the Winemakers Federation of Australia (WFA) and Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC), both of which represent Australia in its wine trade discussions with the EU.