Australia-New Trade deal is massive boost for Australian meat and livestock exports.

Beef and sheep meat exporters can expect major gains from a free-trade agreement with the 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations, to be signed on Friday.

According to The Australian Financial Review, the deal will come into effect by January 2010 and will slash tariffs on Australian beef, live cattle exports, sheep and goat meat, to countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Trade Minister Simon Crean will fly to Thailand to sign the deal on Friday when the new tariff schedule will be formally released.

The Philippines has a 3pc tariff on live cattle imports; Vietnam has a 30pc tariff on pig meat imports; and Indonesia has a 5pc tariff on beef imports.