FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM PASSAGE OF SA BARLEY LEGISLATION
South Australian barley growers and the wider industry will benefit from the passage today of new legislation in that State introducing greater competition.
Australian Grain Exporters Association (AGEA) Director Alick Osborne welcomed the passage of the Barley Exporting Bill 2007, which had received the support of the State’s growers and both major political parties.
“The South Australian Farmers Federation Grains Council is to be commended for the leadership it has shown in this debate and for the support it has given to this legislation, after detailed consideration of all sides of the issue, which is ultimately in the best interests of its members,” Mr Osborne said.
“The Barley Exporting Bill 2007 provides South Australian barley growers with access to the same benefits from increased competition that have been available to barley growers in other parts of the country for many years.
“These include reduced costs, better services, and perhaps most importantly, the right for growers to choose how, when, where and to whom they will sell the product they have invested their own time, energy and finances into producing, rather than being forced to give it to the monopoly seller.
“Independent pricing analysis has shown that where competition is introduced, grain growers are consistently receiving higher net prices for their barley, than in markets where a monopoly seller arrangement exists.”
Mr Osborne also welcomed the Bill’s three-year transition period to deregulation, which includes a requirement for participants in the industry to gain accreditation through an independent body, and an export license.
“These transition-to-deregulation reforms complement the increasing grower support for reform in Australia’s bulk wheat export marketing arrangements,” Mr Osborne said.
“The AGEA applauds the South Australian Parliament for its passage of this bill, so strongly supported by the local growers and industry, and urges Federal Parliament to consider similar arrangements for bulk wheat export marketing, to ensure Australia’s wheat growers can also reap the benefits of greater competition.”
South Australian barley growers and the wider industry will benefit from the passage today of new legislation in that State introducing greater competition.
Australian Grain Exporters Association (AGEA) Director Alick Osborne welcomed the passage of the Barley Exporting Bill 2007, which had received the support of the State’s growers and both major political parties.
“The South Australian Farmers Federation Grains Council is to be commended for the leadership it has shown in this debate and for the support it has given to this legislation, after detailed consideration of all sides of the issue, which is ultimately in the best interests of its members,” Mr Osborne said.
“The Barley Exporting Bill 2007 provides South Australian barley growers with access to the same benefits from increased competition that have been available to barley growers in other parts of the country for many years.
“These include reduced costs, better services, and perhaps most importantly, the right for growers to choose how, when, where and to whom they will sell the product they have invested their own time, energy and finances into producing, rather than being forced to give it to the monopoly seller.
“Independent pricing analysis has shown that where competition is introduced, grain growers are consistently receiving higher net prices for their barley, than in markets where a monopoly seller arrangement exists.”
Mr Osborne also welcomed the Bill’s three-year transition period to deregulation, which includes a requirement for participants in the industry to gain accreditation through an independent body, and an export license.
“These transition-to-deregulation reforms complement the increasing grower support for reform in Australia’s bulk wheat export marketing arrangements,” Mr Osborne said.
“The AGEA applauds the South Australian Parliament for its passage of this bill, so strongly supported by the local growers and industry, and urges Federal Parliament to consider similar arrangements for bulk wheat export marketing, to ensure Australia’s wheat growers can also reap the benefits of greater competition.”
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