Australia to free up wheat


12 January 2001



Australia to free up wheat

By FWi staff

RESTRICTIVE trade practices in Australias wheat trade policies could soon be coming to an end, reports the Finincial Times.

A report has been submitted to the Australian government under Australias National Competition Policy calling for partial deregulation of the wheat export deregulation system.

Farmers, enraged by the report, have promised to “stand up for their rights”.

This follows deregulation of the barley market in Victoria and the collapse of the NSW Grains Board with losses exceeding US$70m.

The tensions of running a co-operative which had to be popular with growers, alongside a large commercial operation were blamed for the collapse.

The FT says the Australian grain industry is now at a watershed.

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