SOME of Western Australia's biggest farmers are planning to abandon Australia's largest grains handler, CBH Group, as early as October after attempts to list the company on the sharemarket were dealt a punishing blow at board elections.
It is the first major revolt against the state's major grains storage, handler and exporter since its inception as a co-operative 77 years ago and could threaten the company's long-term future, according to The Australian Financial Review.
Sources in WA's wheat industry said a number of farmers in the state's mid-west were in discussions with financiers, rural services providers and infrastructure owners to fund a new operation that would export grain from the Port of Geraldton.
The patriarch of Australia's biggest farming family, John Nicoletti, confirmed he is part of the group and is determined to abandon CBH which, he said, imposed the same fees and charges on farmers regardless of their size.
Former CBH chairman Tony Critch is also linked to the group and declined to comment. There is also speculation a separate group of farmers are examining the potential for grain exports from Albany, in the state's south.
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