The industry lobby group said the TPP has been controversial because of the secret negotiations that have shaped it and the perceived threat to an array of industries, as well as national sovereignty. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement covers about 40% of the world economy.

Tania Chapman, the Chair of the Voice of Horticulture, said “Like many industries we have concerns about the non-disclosure of what Australia has put on the table, but the agreement will hopefully result in further opportunities for Australian horticulture exports from reduced trade and phytosanitary barriers. We would be concerned if the agreement impacts on the ability of the Australian Government to strengthen food labelling laws.”

John Dollison, CEO of the Apple and Pear Association (APAL), noted, “The TPP includes trading partners and competitors in the export of fresh produce. Trade deals are good for export growth but we must ensure that food labelling laws are not compromised.”

The Voice of Horticulture believes that the current country of origin labelling (CoOL) laws for food are currently insufficient to assist consumers in making informed decisions about the source of the fresh and processed foods they purchase. This has unintended consequences on the viability of Australian producers. It has called for the labelling all food products, including fresh produce, to be clear, mandatory and enforced.

The TPP involves twelve countries (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Vietnam). According to Produce Marketing Association in the US, TPP members currently traded a high proportion of their fresh produce – about 70% – between other treaty members.

Australian agriculture producers are already benefitting from a 75 per cent rise in worldwide demand for food in the first half of this century, with three quarters of this growth coming from Asia.

Chapman said, “Australian horticulture growers and exporters are keen to take full advantage of these opportunities by tapping into the growing demand within the Asian middle class for niche and high end-value products, which have been derived from production systems with due regard for food safety and the environment.”

Australia has existing trade agreements with several member countries including the US, Japan, New Zealand and ASEAN countries.

Lawmakers in TPP countries must now approve the deal, which has been under negotiation for several years.