Good News for Australian Wheat in Iraq

Trade Minister Mark Vaile has welcomed the announcement by Iraqi PM Ibrahim al-Jaafari that the three shipments of Australian wheat stranded in Iraq are clean and should be discharged without delay.

"I welcome the comments by the Iraqi Prime Minister that the testing of Australian wheat by Iraqi authorities is now complete and the green light has been given to discharge at the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr. I expect this to happen as soon as practicable," Mr Vaile said.

"All along we said the wheat was clean and free from contamination so I am therefore pleased the announcement has vindicated our position.

"Australian wheat growers have been a longstanding supplier of high quality wheat to the Iraqi people and as such any claims to the contrary are taken very seriously by both the Government and AWB.

"The Australian Government, on behalf of Australia's wheat growers, has been actively seeking a resolution to the dispute since the original contamination claims were made. I have made extensive representations to the Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Planning Minister Barham Salih, Trade Minister Basit Karim and their officials. Our Ambassador in Baghdad has also been working tirelessly on the Government's behalf.

"Now that this matter is resolved I would expect that AWB will be working much closer with the Iraqi Grains Board to ensure that these circumstances never arise again."

Mr Vaile said he was confident that Australia would continue to be an important supplier of wheat to Iraq.

"Australia has been supplying wheat to Iraq for over 50 years and we expect to be a major supplier for many more. In moving forward to assist Iraq meet its food security needs, the Australian Government will continue to support growers' efforts to expand the commercial relationship between Australia and Iraq.

"As a first step, I have invited the Iraqi Trade Minister to visit Australia as a Guest of Government as soon as his schedule allows to strengthen and diversify our trade links with Iraq. We are also working with industry to find new ways to assist the Iraqi Grains sector.

"Australian wheat growers can be confident that the Government recognises the importance they place on being reliable and quality suppliers of wheat to Iraq and we will continue to assist their efforts with that trade," Mr Vaile said.

Contact: Mr Vaile's office 02 6277 7420 - DFAT Media Liaison 02 6261 1555