,); UTHALIAo~
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 18 MARCH 1986
The Government is acutely aware of the importance to Australia of
the rural sector. It is the base upon which the rest of
Australia's economy has historically been built. It is among the
most efficient and, conversely, one of the least protected
agricultural sectors in the world. Australia has an outstanding
record as an agricultural producer and exporter, and as a
supplier of food to the world.
The health of our rural sector is of great concern to this
Government at any time. Given various conditions and influences
operating in international markets at the moment, our rural
sector's problems are very much at the forefront of our current
concerns. I point out these facts to underscore the importance which I
place on my forthcoming overseas visit, which will now include
several European capitals after my visit to Washington.
It should be understood clearly that any action or influence
which tends to damage or threatens to damage international
agricultural markets and, more specifically, the access of
Australian producers to those markets, will prompt reaction from
this Government.
my visit should be seen as much for its significance in
recognising the rural sector's importance to us as much as for
the opportunity it gives me to reinforce at first hand our views
on the damage done by market distortions to Australian producers.
Following my visit to Washington from 16-18 April, I shall be
visiting London, Brussels, Rome and Athens between 19 and 26
Apr il.
As announced at the National Press Club recently, during my visit
to Washington I will have talks with President Reagan and senior
members of his Administration about Australia's increasing
concern over the outlook for the international trading system
particularly with regard to agricultural trade. I shall also hold
parallel discussions with senior members of the United States
Congress on these issues.
Two major objectives of my visit will be to discuss ways of
minimising the negative impact that the Export Enhancement
Program and other aspects of the US Farm Bill could have on
Australia's rural sector, and to discuss how best to promote a
more rational international trading system for agricultural
products with particular reference to the forthcoming Tokyo
Economic Summit.
2
While in Washington, I also expect to exchange views with senior
members of the US Administration on international political
issues of common concern, as well as international economic
subjects apart from trade.
My visit will also provide opportunities to reinforce in Europe
Australia's increasing concern about the outlook for
international agricultural trade and the need to address this
issue at the forthcoming Tokyo Economic Summit. As part of these
discussions, I will be expressing Australia's continuing concern
about the effects of the Common Agricultural Policy and the
importance we attach to its reform.
In Brussels, I shall take the opportunity to reinforce our
concerns about the outlook for the international trading system
particularly for agricultural trade, with senior members of the
Commission of the European Communities led by its President, Mr
Delors. My meeting with Prime Minister Thatcher in London will provide an
opportunity not only to discuss current problems in agricultural
trade, but also to review the long-standing and close bilateral
ties between Australia and Britain, and to exchange views on
international political issues apart from trade.
During my stay in Rome, I shall have a private audience with His
Holiness, the Pope, which will provide an opportunity to discuss
with him a range of issues, including his visit to Australia in
November. In Rome and Athens, I expect to discuss international political
and economic issues of common interest with Prime Ministers Craxi
and Papandreou. Australia's relations with both Italy and Greece
have been greatly strengthened by flows of migration and other
people-to-people contacts in recent decades. I look forward to
reviewing Australia's close and warm bilateral relationship with
each country and exploring the scope for future development.
In Rome, I also expect to sign the reciprocal agreeement on
portability of pensions.