April 27, 2007

Australian government to announce wheat export changes

The Australian Federal Government's plans to change the wheat export system will be revealed to national and state grain grower groups at a meeting in Melbourne this week.

The Cabinet wants a revamped Wheat Export Authority that can tender a single desk and interim arrangement where the Australian Wheat Board could remain the main exporter for the harvest.

Prime Minister John Howard says he will weigh on the groups' views before making the government could conclude its final position.

However, farmers have already aired their side during the Wheat Export Marketing Consultation as its Committee chair John Ralph said the group wants a majority single desk and only 20 percent want Australian Wheat Board to run it, according to the prime minister.

Howard said only a few wants a deregulation but "people in very significant numbers told us that the exact status quo would be hard to support."