The Grains Council of Australia has strongly welcomed assurances from the both Coalition and the ALP that the ‘single desk’ wheat export arrangements will remain in place until 2010.

GCA President, Keith Perrett, said letters to the Grains Council from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Warren Truss, and the Shadow Minister, Gavan O’Connor, had strongly supported the ‘single desk’ and categorically ruled out any more reviews of the single desk until the scheduled National Competition Policy review in 2010.

“The industry will be relieved that all major parties have committed to the ‘single desk’; a structure that has overwhelming support from Australia’s wheat producers, their families and regional communities”, Mr Perrett said.

“The industry is suffering from ‘review fatigue’; a huge amount of resources and time has gone into proving that Australia, not just wheat producers and their families, benefits from what is the most effective wheat marketing in the world”.

“We welcome the assurances from both Mr Truss and Mr O’Connor that there are no plans for a further review of the single desk before 2010; this is the breathing space and certainty our $10 billion industry needs”, he said.

“We now have certainty. The nation’s grain producers can get on with that they do best – further developing and enhancing our biggest agricultural export sector”.

“Without the distractions and uncertainty posed by constant reviews of our export marketing, we will be able to focus more clearly on serving our international customers and on the domestic and global challenges facing our industry”.

“Both Mr O’Connor and Mr Truss should be congratulated for this positive announcement; it indicates they are listening to the industry and responding in a positive manner”.

“The ALP and the Coalition have also congratulated GCA for taking the initiative and showing strong leadership in contributing positively to the future development of the industry through to 2020“.

“Both parties have voiced strong support the ‘Single Vision’ Grains Industry Strategy, at a time when we have just completed a series of forums in all major grain producing States”, Mr Perrett said.

“This is an great time to be in the Australian grains industry; we are on the threshold of an exciting and positive new era and the certainty provided by this announcement is the first step on with will be an excellent adventure”.