Australia
September 3, 2007
Source:
The New South Wales
Farmers' Association
New name - new Single Desk –
new focus
The Wheat Export Marketing Alliance (WEMA) today announced the
establishment of a new entity which will take control of Single
Desk wheat marketing and the National Wheat Pool from July 2008.
The new company, to be called Australia Wheat Ltd (AusWheat) is
in the process of being devised with a strategic plan which will
provide the basis for building the corporate structure of the
Company.
“AusWheat will be a lean and innovative organisation and will
not require a large capital base. In this modern financial era
there are plenty of options available to finance the operations
of AusWheat,” WEMA Chairman Graham Blight said.
“However, to build the structure of the company we need funds to
engage skilled operators immediately due to our short time
period to be up and running.”
AusWheat will control export sales through its Single Desk
authority, manage the National Pool, price the EPR and determine
quality incentives. It will also contribute to an industry
organisation that will capitalise on technology, product
innovation global trends, market intelligence and general
industry proficiency to take the industry to a world class
quality food producer.
“In the end this must be an industry wide structure. It is not
fair that exporters should be alone in paying for many of these
vital industry services. A key element to growers’ better
understanding of market requirements is how customer information
is delivered back to growers,“ Mr Blight said.
‘If we do not know what the customer wants how will we know what
to grow? This important link between growers and customer must
be developed.”
WEMA is also in the process of this week launching a Single Desk
Fighting fund aimed at developing the new entity. Donations from
growers and businesses are being encouraged on a voluntary
basis.
“I understand that some growers will be angry at having to raise
funds again to support the establishment of their own Company,
but that is the lot we have and this is our last opportunity to
control our own destiny.”
RELATED RELEASE
19 August 2007
Source: Western Australian
Farmers Federation
Wheat
Export Marketing Alliance pursues new wheat export single desk
model
The Wheat Export Marketing Alliance (WEMA) have decided to
create a new wheat export single desk business model rather than
pursue the AWB Limited, new subsidiary, de-merger.
WEMA Chairman, Graham Blight said “after careful evaluation of
the AWB Limited offer, consideration of the risks and
limitations, including getting 75% A and B Class shareholder
approval for any de-merger, we believe it will be in producers
best interests if we develop a new model and company to take the
wheat industry forward.”
“Development of the model has commenced, as we are very
conscious of the time limitations imposed upon us by Government,
and negotiations for contestable services with industry will
take place as soon as practicable.”
“We intend to commence negotiations with AWB and other potential
providers for contestable services and believe that the industry
will want to support growers and continue the opportunity of
growing their businesses and grower returns.”
“The new single desk model will have bulk export control. It
will operate directly in the wheat export market, but will also
work with other entities who can demonstrate a capacity to
generate superior returns to growers through efficient
procedures and effective management of costs. Industry
participants with proven capacity to build markets and develop
relationships with clients will be encouraged to participate.”
“Following recent discussions in Canberra, I am encouraged that
government and the Labor Party support the single desk, although
there are some minor variants. Government have indicated they
are comfortable with WEMA’s core business model, said Mr Blight.
“Labor want to put it through a vigorous review to ensure it
delivers real benefits to growers, and WEMA is confident it
will.”
“Our aim is to deliver the best return possible and secure value
added markets for the benefit of growers. The next step is to
further develop the business model for presentation to
government, industry players, financiers and growers.”
“This will be an ‘inclusive’, not ‘exclusive’ single desk model.
I want to stress again that services will be contestable to
ensure costs are minimised and revenues maximised for the
benefit of Australia’s bulk export wheat producers as we build
more efficient services to support national pool marketing.”
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