Russian sanctions war will 'hurt farmers', says Barnaby Joyce

Russia's decision to announce sanctions against agricultural imports from Australia, the US, and the EU has been denounced by the government and Labor.

Russian sanctions target Australian agricultural exports. (AAP)

Russian sanctions target Australian agricultural exports. (AAP)

Labor has joined the Abbott government in criticising Russia's decision to impose sanctions on Australia and other countries who oppose Moscow's support of rebels in Ukraine.

But foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek says it doesn't mean Russian president Vladimir Putin should be banned from the G20 leaders meeting in Brisbane in November.

"Sometimes the best way to do that is to have someone in the room to say it to their face," she told the Nine Network on Friday.
russiatrade.jpg
Russia on Thursday introduced an embargo on agricultural products from Australia, the European Union, the United States, Canada and others - countries that have imposed their own sanctions against Moscow over its policy in Ukraine.

Ms Plibersek said it was important for the world community to tell Russia its support of rebels in eastern Ukraine was unacceptable, even though Australia hadn't imposed a second round of sanctions against Russia.

"It's a punishing of our primary production sector and farmers at a time when it seems the Russians have backed separatists and armed them, and those armed separatists have shot down a plane with Australians on it," she said.

"It's extraordinary behaviour."

Cabinet minister Malcolm Turnbull said it was important the world stand up to Russia.

"Putin is reacting against the firm response from the rest of the world and his country, his citizens will lose out of this," he told Nine.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Thursday night said it was disappointing that Russia had retaliated rather than adhere to international concern and stop the flow of weapons to Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine.

Beef, pork, fruit and vegetable produce, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and dairy products are on the Russian-imposed sanctions list.

The announcement was made on the same day Australia held a national day of mourning for the 38 Australians killed in the downing of MH17 three weeks ago.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce admits the year-long ban will hurt farmers but the government will try to minimise the impact.

"I know this is something that's going to cause hardship in the country for rural producers," he told ABC radio on Friday.

"But we will try and work around it and find alternate markets."

The government was not ruling out financial assistance for affected producers.

"I would hope we're able to manage it without assistance," Mr Joyce said.

The minister said it was important to keep all lines of contact open and cancelling Mr Putin's invitation to the G20 would not help matters.

"You can't resolve an issue with someone you're not talking to."


Share

3 min read

Published

Updated


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world