30/6/05
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance today announced that no changes would be made to the Ministerial guidelines of the Grain Licensing Authority (GLA) after an independent review found that the GLA system was of benefit to the grain industry.
“Submissions received in response to the RSM Bird Cameron report substantiated the review findings and subsequent discussions with relevant stakeholders have led me to conclude there is no need to change the Ministerial guidelines,” Mr Chance said.
According to the RSM Bird Cameron Report the State’s Grains Authority’s benefit to the grain industry was an estimated $3.37million for the 2003-04 season.
The review also included an assessment of the operations of the Grain Marketing Act 2002.
“Although this legislation allows for greater opportunities to trade grain both domestically and in export markets, the Gallop Government is committed to a policy of maintaining the single desk for prescribed grain, held by the GLA,” the Minister said.
“I can assure the industry that this is a policy the GLA will continue to bear in mind when assessing applications for special export licenses.
“The best opportunity for export license applicants to provide benefit to the State’s grain growers is to target markets not already substantially serviced by the Grain Pool.”
Mr Chance also called for more grain to be processed on-shore to take advantage of the opportunity to capture profits in Western Australia by value-adding prior to export.
He congratulated Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) and George Weston foods for establishing a joint venture that would see more profits kept in WA as a result of value-adding to lupin grain.
“A challenge rests with all involved in grain production and export to use the best available production technology, seasonal forecasting, quality information and market knowledge to deliver a better result for all industry participants,” the Minister said.
“The Gallop Government is committed to providing jobs and opportunities to all Western Australians through the maintenance of the single desk and policies that will encourage value-adding to our grain crops within WA.”
Increased grain industry wealth will come from strong collaboration and efficiency gains locally to achieve a stronger position in increasingly competitive global markets.
Minister's office: 9213 6700
