AUSTRALIA — AFPA has expressed disappointment and concerns about the new Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA) signed by the Federal Government. Under the deal, Australia will eliminate tariffs on European timber imports. AFPA Chief Executive Officer Diana Hallam said: “We echo the concerns raised by many other agriculture peak bodies today about the lack of opportunities arising from the deal for Australia’s forest industries. “Furthermore, the removal of trade tariffs – including on timber products – under the new A-EU FTA will challenge Australian sawn timber and engineered wood product manufacturers. …“Fortunately, in a win for the sector, the A-EU FTA does not include deforestation regulation, and we will continue to engage with the EU on these problematic and trade-distorting measures in other international forums alongside the United States, Canada and New Zealand,” Ms Hallam said.