Brazil, Australia open talks for agricultural trade agreements

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – The Brazilian and Australian governments have opened talks aimed at forging new agricultural trade agreements, according to a statement from the Brazilian agriculture ministry on Friday.

Brazil aims to export pork to Australia, the statement said. The South American country in turn could start importing Australian wheat and barley under a potential pact.

To implement the agreement, Brazil and Australia must negotiate a reduction of bileteral trade tariffs at the the World Trade Organization, according to the statement.

Sophie Davis, Australias ambassador to Brazil, met with Brazilian Agriculture Ministry Carlos Favaro on Wednesday.

Aside from liberalizing trade, the pair also discussed sustainable agriculture projects and opportunities for research cooperation in the field.

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo and Ana Mano; Editing by Steven Grattan)