Media release
Tuesday 17 September 2002 - MVT111/2002
Australia's Middle East Wheat Exports Getting Stronger
Australia's wheat trade to the Middle East is in good shape and getting
stronger, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said today.
Mr Vaile was responding to alarmist claims from Grains Council chief
Keith Perrett who said Australia's wheat trade was under threat.
In the past two months Mr Vaile has travelled extensively throughout
the Middle East region and was surprised by Keith Perrett's recent
comments.
"Keith Perrett's comments are wide of the mark. No such revelations
have been made to me during my travels in the Middle East, in fact
it's completely the opposite," Mr Vaile said.
"Australian wheat exports to countries in the Middle East region
such as Iran, Iraq, Jordan, the UAE, Libya and Egypt continue to flourish."
"Only last week, during a visit to Iran, AWB Ltd had a major contract
for 530,000 tonnes of wheat confirmed, with the potential of more
to come.
"Last month I informed the Australian Parliament AWB Ltd had secured
deals with Jordan and Libya to supply 50,000 tonnes of Australian
wheat to both countries.
"Wheat exports to Iraq, year to date, stand at 1.8 million tonnes
following a successful outcome to the quarantine dispute between AWB
Ltd and the Iraqi Grains Board.
"Based on these facts alone, Keith Perrett's comments just don't
stack up.
Mr Vaile said the Federal Government, AWB Ltd, and the grains industry
continued to work hard to open and improve markets for quality Australian
wheat.
"Last year Australia exported more than 17.5 million tonnes of Australian
wheat to more than 55 countries around the world.
"This Government is about opening markets for the 150,000 wheat farmers
and their families who depend on exports for their livelihoods."
Media Contact: Mark Croxford 0418
273 475
Media Contact: Mark Croxford +61 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Friday, 21-Nov-2008 18:02:05 EST
