Japan, Australia end free trade talks without progress

TOKYO, Aug. 2 Kyodo - Japan and Australia have failed to resolve differences over agricultural product tariffs during their latest round of talks on a free trade agreement, Japanese officials said Friday.

During the five-day, sixth round of trade negotiations in Tokyo that ended earlier in the day, Australia reiterated its call for Japan to eliminate tariffs on beef and other farm products, but Japan rejected the request toprotect domestic producers, according to the officials.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Australia wants Japan to eliminate tariffs on various farm products and the two countries will need to continuenegotiations on an item-by-item basis.

Agriculture is seen as a major stumbling block as Japanese agricultural lobbies are opposed to the inclusion of rice, wheat, sugar and dairy products in a freetrade deal with a major farming nation.

Australia is Japan's main supplier of natural resources, including coal andiron ore, and provides Japan with around 10 percent of its food imports.

Japan is Australia's largest trading partner and has long been its largestexport market.

Japan and Australia agreed to hold the seventh round of FTA talks in Australiain late October, according to the officials.

Japan and Australia started FTA negotiations in April 2007.

==Kyodo