WAFarmers made a submission on the “Mandatory Code of Conduct for Grain Export Terminals (Bulk Wheat Exports)” to the Department of Agriculture on 24 July. WAFarmers supported CBH’s position on the issue, with the main points highlighted below:
- The best option for WA growers is to repeal the Wheat Exporting Act 2008, as it would provide the least cost path for individual growers.
- With CBH, growers are in a unique position as the primary supply chain is owned and governed by growers; therefore regulation only adds further cost in the supply of WA grain to the world market.
- If the Act cannot be repealed, WAFarmers submitted that CBH should be exempt from regulation as their main purpose is to create and return value to WA growers in order to achieve the highest farm-gate return as possible.
- Repealing the act or allowing CBH to be exempt from regulations would create a level playing field and not allow new entrants, avoiding these regulations, to be placed at a competitive advantage.
- CBH should be made exempt from any port access regulation as they offer a transparent and competitive port access arrangement, and aim to benefit WA grain growers and not international shareholders.
