THE Pastoralists and Graziers’ Association (PGA) has questioned any benefits for West Australian grain growers under the recent arrangement between Eastern States based Grain Growers Ltd and the WA Farmers’ Federation.
“Our members fail to see how an organisation, which is nothing more than a remnant of NSW Government controlled grain handling, can provide any benefit to growers in WA,” PGA Western Graingrowers Chairman, John Snooke said.
“The eastern grain trade is domestic focused and Grain Growers Ltd has little to no experience in dealing with export issues.”
“In addition, Grain Growers’ largest and most influential membership comes from NSW Farmers Federation, whose Grains Committee still have a policy to return to the single desk.”
“For over 70years WA farmers were subjected to draconian regulations on how and to whom they could sell their grain in order to protect the interests of eastern states growers,” he said
“During the entire debate over the single desk, Grain Growers Ltd never once stood up to support the interests of the West Australian grain growers, so what makes them think they can do it now?”
“WA growers have seen tremendous benefits since wheat exports were deregulated in 2008 and the West Australian grains industry, like most of our other agricultural industries, continues to lead the rest of the nation and the world.”
“So why would we want to be represented by an eastern-centric organisation that has no idea about our industry or our state?” Mr Snooke said.
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