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Abstract
Substantial Government and industry effort has been directed at improving Australia's export
performance in recent years and a considerable amount of research has been done into various issues
impacting on export performance. There has been very little work done however, at the domestic
end of the export chain, focusing on turning export opportunities into realities. While it is well
recognised that a number of external factors have a considerable impact on access by Australian
exporters to overseas markets, it is hypothesised that domestic arrangements (government and
industry regulations, associated compliance costs and inefficient infrastructure) are also a major
factor limiting the growth of agricultural exports.
Industry surveys and several case study analyses were carried out in five agricultural export
industries, with the intent of identifying and measuring domestic impediments to their entry into and
development of overseas markets. In general it was found that some regulations comprised an
unwarranted impediment, while other impediments identified were the result of 'myths' perpetuated
through poor extension, or support services from Government and industry that did not meet
exporter needs.