You’d be forgiven for thinking that the very existence of national environmental laws creates an obligation on Environment Ministers to protect the environment. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Instead, their obligations are limited by the objects and duties that are specified in the law. And in the case of our...
In June 2018, the European Union and Australia formally opened negotiations for a free trade agreement. Australia is presently ranked as the EU’s nineteenth largest trading partner in goods, while the EU is Australia’s third largest trading partner.
The proposed trade agreement between the EU and Australia is viewed by both parties as an opportunity to increase trade and the deal is likely to further increase trade – or, at a minimum, increase trade opportunities – in animal agricultural products, including meat, egg and dairy products. Likewise, while Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) open markets, create business and employment opportunities, and can increase economic growth, new increased access to markets also leads to increases in legal and illegal trade in a wide variety of products, including wildlife and wildlife products.
