Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke today reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to deliver on its election commitment to dismantle the wheat export monopoly by July 1, 2008.

Mr Burke made the comments following a meeting with the Wheat Export Marketing Alliance (WEMA) on Friday.

“I have been meeting with a range of key stakeholder groups across my portfolio and was happy to meet with the Alliance to discuss issues relating to wheat exports,” Mr Burke said.

“They presented me with a lengthy document outlining some proposals and I undertook to seek advice on those proposals from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

“The Department has now provided me with advice that the proposals are ‘fundamentally different’ to the Government’s policy of increasing competition in the wheat export market.

“It advises that the proposals would leave AWB (International) Ltd as the only company exempt from the export controls and are inconsistent with the Government’s plans for multiple accredited exports.

“I had cautioned WEMA representatives in the meeting on Friday that, at first glance, the proposals appeared to conflict with our policy commitments, and the Department’s advice has now confirmed that initial assessment.

“To move ahead with the wheat export reforms, I recently appointed an expert advisory group which attracted strong interest from industry.

“I would encourage all interested industry members to contribute to that process by commenting on a discussion paper to be prepared by next month.”

Media contact: Ann-Marie Wilcock - 0413 872 275