Meat and dairy negotiations still at loggerheads

he fifth round of Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations were held in Canberra from April 28 with intense discussion over meat and dairy products. However, despite these talks and previous efforts, both nations could not reach agreement.
Australia favours the elimination of tariffs on its meat and dairy exports to Japan. However, Japan argues that lowering tariffs on these imports would destroy its domestic market.
Japanese deputy director-general of the Economic Affairs Bureau, Sumio Kusaka, along with some 60 diplomats and economists, attended the meeting. Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade official Rick Wells, and around 80 other officials, were also present. The next meeting is to be held in Tokyo at the end of July.