WEA announces final accreditation renewals

Wheat Exports Australia (WEA) has announced the final seven exporter accreditations by way of renewal, under the Wheat Export Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme).

The applications were considered at a recent WEA Board Meeting, and the following companies now have accreditations renewed:

ABB Grain Ltd
Goodman Fielder Consumer Foods Pty Ltd
Grain Pool Pty Ltd
GrainCorp Operations Limited
JK International Pty Ltd
Lempriere Grain Pty Ltd
Pentag Commodities Pty Limited

CEO of WEA, Peter Woods said accreditation by way of renewal was thorough and rigorous to ensure only ‘fit and proper’ exporters continued to purchase Australian wheat for export in bulk.
“The benefits from the bulk wheat export marketing system and WEA’s decision to provide multi-period exporter accreditations will lead to innovation through the supply chain, for both growers and international buyers.”

To gain accreditation as a wheat exporter, exporters that own or operate port terminal facilities must provide fair and transparent access to their facilities to other accredited wheat exporters.

The accreditation renewal of ABB Grain Ltd, Grain Pool Pty Ltd and GrainCorp Operations Limited were subject to an ACCC access test in relation to their port terminal service. The access undertakings were published by the ACCC on 29 September 2009.

ACCC said the access arrangements will unlock constraints at grain ports, to the benefit of the overall Australian economy. They will promote the development of a wheat export marketing industry that is efficient, competitive and advances the needs of wheat growers.

Mr Woods explained that an exporter must fulfil a number of criteria for WEA to consider it a ‘fit and proper’ company to export wheat in bulk from Australia. Criteria include the exporter’s financial resources, business records and risk management arrangements.

Between 1 October 2008 and 30 August 2009, more than 11 million tonnes of bulk wheat was exported to 42 countries, by 17 accredited exporters.

Details of exporters’ Conditions of Accreditation can be viewed at WEA’s online Register of Accredited Exporters – www.wea.gov.au.

WEA will continue to process new applications as they are received.

For further information contact Wheat Exports Australia on (02) 6202 3400 or visit www.wea.gov.au.

Further media enquiries contact:

Sophie Drew
Communications
Ph: 02 6202 3400