EU agriculture "cannot afford to pay the price of a new political deal", Copa Cogeca has said.

The umbrella organisation representing European farmers and agri-cooperatives spoke as discussions intensify on the EU–Australia Free Trade Agreement.

Copa Cogeca said that "serious concerns remain regarding the balance and fairness of the outcome", particularly on the agriculture chapter.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed she will visit Australia from March 23-25 to "strengthen EU ties with a trusted, like-minded partner in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region".

The president will visit Sydney and Canberra, including a meeting with prime minister Anthony Albanese in the Australian capital.

'Extreme uncertainty'

Copa president Massimiliano Giansanti said: “While recognising the strategic and economic importance of strengthening ties with Australia, it is essential that any agreement reflects a genuinely balanced partnership and the respective size of our markets.

"Our enterprises are currently facing extreme uncertainty, with rising production costs and declining revenues.

Copa Cogeca raised its concerns around reports suggesting proposed expanded market access for sensitive agricultural products, such as beef, sheep meat, and sugar.

It said this raises "fundamental questions about the direction of the negotiations".

"Granting disproportionate concessions in these sectors risks undermining European farmers, distorting markets, and weakening the EU’s long-standing commitment to high production standards and rural sustainability," Copa Cogeca said.

Standards

Cogeca president Lennart Nilsson said that the commission must ensure that concessions on sensitive agricultural products are "strictly limited, genuinely reciprocal, and aligned with equivalent production standards".

"Any deal must be fair and not come at the expense of the EU’s agricultural sector, rural communities, or long-term food security, a key element of EU’s sovereignty and overall security," Nilsson said.

"A truly balanced and credible agreement must safeguard the integrity and resilience of European agriculture, ensuring that farmers and agri-cooperatives are not asked to bear a disproportionate share of the burden."

EU-Australia FTA

Negotiations between the EU and Australia on a free trade agreement were launched in 2018.

However, in late 2023, negotiations stalled due to disputes over agricultural market access and geographical indications.

In June 2025, the parties agreed to revive talks for the FTA, after a meeting between Australia's trade minister Don Farrell and European Commissioner for trade Maros Sefcovic.