CONCERN Australia did not push hard enough to secure concessions nominated as priorities by the agriculture sector have followed the securing of a Free Trade Agreement with Japan.
However, the agreement may lead to a positive outcome for local farmers by creating higher local demand for beef and a strong case for a new cattle-selling facility to replace the Boyanup saleyards.
WA Farmers' Federation Beef and Live stock president Jeff Murray said most of the beef supplied to Japan came from the eastern states and was grain fed.
"Here in WA, we generally have grass fed cattle so they don't qualify" he said.
"But the flow-on benefits are that it will be cheaper meat for the Japanese consumer, which should create a bit more demand back here."
The anticipated long term increase in cattle numbers puts pressure on the state government for a new cattle-selling facility in the South West of WA sooner rather than later.
Producers currently use the Boyanup sale yards, with the next closest being Mount Barker and Muchea.
Capel Shire chief executive officer Paul Sheedy said Council was taking a proactive position to get the government to progress the facility.
"New modern saleyards in the region are justified on the current and expected increase in throughput that new yards will bring," he said. "And if there is an indication by South West farmers that they want to increase beef production, it would assist in pressuring the state government to progress this matter."
Mr Sheedy said sites within the Shire of Capel had been identified, but no investigation or decision had been made.
The extended lease for the Boyanup Saleyards expires in 2022, which means the closure of the complex at its present location in the town of Boyanup.
On a more widespread scale, the National Farmers' Federation said the trade deal between Australia and Japan is disappointing and could have delivered more for farmers, who will miss out.
National Farmers' Federation president Brent Finlay acknowledged the historical significance of the agreement, but pointed out there was still a number of sectors facing only marginal improvements or limited commercial gains.
Beef exports are worth $1.4 billion annually. Currently Japan puts a 38 per cent tariff on frozen beef. This figure will be gradually reduced to 19.5 per cent.
Cattle Council of Australia vice president Peter Hall said he hoped Australia could use a review clause in the agreement to revisit the issue in five years time.
He said even with an 8 per cent cut in frozen beef tariffs in the first year of the agreement, it would take some time for the benefits to flow through to producers.
Australian Dairy Industry Council deputy chairman Robert Poole said there had been no movement in the agreement on fresh cheese - the number one objective for Australian dairy with tariffs to remain at 29.8 per cent.
Mr Murray hoped the Australian government could negotiate further concessions from the Japanese government and that certain points could be renegotiated at the five-year review.
"Sure, I'm disappointed in the small amount of reduction of the tariff plus the 18 years it is going to take to reduce it, but I reckon that any market access is useful because it creates competition so let the eastern states supply Japan and we'll go for the local gaps they leave behind," he said.
WA Farmers' Federation dairy president Phil Depiazzi said he saw no real changes to tariffs on dairy products, meaning no opportunities for local processors regarding export of dairy product, which was disappointing.
"The only positive is that federal minister Andrew Robb has a very clear understanding of dairy's requirements as a result of the Australian dairy farmers' lobbying," he said. "I think this is all about Japan strongly defending its own agriculture through tariffs."
