The 4th Philippines-Australia Agriculture Forum was held last November 27-29, 2018 in Canberra, Australia, and the Philippine delegation was headed by Undersecretary Ariel T. Cayanan.

The highlights of the meeting included the signing of the Terms of Reference on the Electronic Certificate Exchange, a paperless exchange of export certificates electronically, covering five product groups, namely edible meat, seafood, dairy, horticulture and grain, and a Joint Statement between the Philippines and Australia on the outcome and agreed action items during the meeting.

The market access request for the Philippine Cavendish bananas to Australia, the Anti-Dumping Measure on Philippines consumer, food service and industrial pineapples, Philippines’ import protocol for breeder cattle and the proposal of Australia to use irradiation as a treatment measure, among others, were comprehensively discussed in a constructive manner, with a lot of openness from both sides. The Philippines looks forward to their early resolution.

The long-standing relationship of Australia and the Philippines has been significant and collaborative particularly in agriculture cooperation and trade. While the trade balance in agriculture is largely in favor of Australia, both countries recognize the need to promote two-way trade.