Press Release

Western Australia’s leading farm organisation, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA), has condemned Russia’s ban on Australian agricultural products and are calling on the Australian Government to ensure access into alternative markets until the embargo is lifted.

“This full embargo is clearly a political move and it is unfortunate that the biggest losers in this will not only be Russian consumers who will now pay more for their food, but also West Australian farmers and pastoralists who will lose access a very lucrative and vital market,” PGA immediate past president Rob Gillam said today.

“This wide ranging embargo on Australian grain, meat and livestock is a result of the limited sanctions imposed on Russia by the West and the Australian Government needs to ensure that our access to other alternative markets are not compromised as a result of this game of political one upmanship.”

“The Russian market is worth over $700million to Australian farmers, with live cattle exports worth over $55million, so it is imperative that we secure additional markets for these products.”