Wheat Farming Families Ignored By Government

It didn’t matter if it was a poor harvest or a bumper crop, under single desk wheat marketing arrangement, growers had a guarantee that their wheat would be sold and that they would be paid, Senator Fiona Nash said today. “We must never forget that the people who are affected most in this debate and deserve to be heard are Australian farming families. “Over 50 wheat growers attended the senate hearing today into the government’s proposed wheat marketing arrangements to present a human face to this issue. It is their livelihood and the future security of their families that is at stake here. “In every single grower vote or survey the overwhelming majority growers have supported maintaining a single desk. “They support the single desk because it has been proven to deliver a premium return to growers, delivers bargaining power in international trade negotiations and most importantly it guarantees that all wheat harvested will be accepted into a national pool. “All wheat farming families are guaranteed payment for their effort under a single desk, said Senator Nash. “Yet all this is at risk under the proposal thrust upon the industry by government. “It is painfully clear to Australian wheat growers that this proposed legislation is not designed for them. In fact growers are barely mentioned in the draft legislation. “This legislation is about fulfilling a further pledge of the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. That is to punish AWB. “In doing so Labor are not interested in listening to growers, are not interested in listening to the WA and NSW minister for agriculture who represent the largest number of wheat growers, and are certainly not interested in securing the future of Australian working families if they happen to be farmers. “The government must listen to wheat growers and preserve a single desk marketing arrangement. “Their vendetta against AWB will only hurt families and jeopardize Australia’s international trade in wheat”, said Senator Nash. …… Media contact: Anita Cakalic 0447 340 025

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