AWB Resumes Wheat Trade to Iraq

Australia's resumption of wheat sales to Iraq is good news for Australian wheat growers, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Mark Vaile said today.

"I warmly welcome today's announcement by AWB that they have concluded an agreement for the supply of Australian wheat with the Iraqi Grains Board (IGB)," Mr Vaile said.

"Iraq has always been a very important market for Australian wheat growers and this new contract has been eagerly anticipated by the industry for some time.

"With this year's forecast wheat crop better than expected, the Iraqi people can now be confident that top quality Aussie wheat is on the way."

The resumption of trade between Australia and Iraq follows a dispute earlier this year involving claims of contaminated wheat shipments. The matter was later resolved following extensive testing of the wheat and urgent intervention by senior Australian Ministers with their Iraqi counterparts.

"There is nothing more important to Australian wheat growers than their reputation so I congratulate AWB for its efforts to reassure the Iraqi Government and the IGB of the clean and green nature of Australian wheat and our ongoing commitment to meet their quality demands," Mr Vaile said.

"Both the Iraqi Trade and Agriculture Ministers have been invited to visit Australia as Guests of Government and I look forward to showcasing the Australian grains industry to further reinforce this message.

"Today's announcement demonstrates the strength of our bilateral and trade relationship with Iraq and our standing as a high-quality supplier of wheat to the Iraqi people," Mr Vaile said.

Contacts: Ministerial - 02 6277 7420