Foreign Affairs and Trade

Global trade
CDP is concerned by the significant amount of government subsidies offered to US and European farmers.  These subsidies distort the market and encourage inefficiency and uncompetitive practices. 
In response to these global realities, CDP supports the introduction of a realistic trade barrier policy which will effectively protect our Australian domestic market from these uncompetitive policies

Single trading desk.
CDP supports a “single desk” arrangement for the export of Australian wheat as long as farmers remain protected from unscrupulous corporations.  The “single desk” should be a cooperative style entity owned by farmers.  The “single desk” needs to work for the benefit of the farmers only.  The “single desk” policy should allow farmers to share the benefits of a bargaining power they might not otherwise have. 

Quarantine
CDP supports a review of Australia’s quarantine policies.  CDP supports a policy where the imported product is required to meet the same high quality production standards as those imposed on our local producers. 

Live trade
The live animal export is a significant industry as it employs a large number of workers.
Consequently, CDP supports the continuation of the live animal export trade subject to improved humane treatment of animals during transport and pain minimization during slaughter.
For those animals that are not going to be exported alive, CDP supports the development of abattoirs that implement pain minimization techniques during the slaughtering process

Labelling issues
CDP supports government regulations requiring country of origin labelling. 
CDP supports strict penalties to protect the Australian wool and sheep industry from false labelling and inferior products.

Fuel
CDP supports a lower taxation regime on all fuels and the establishment of further LP gas outlets in country and remote areas is to be encouraged.