Fed: AWBs monopoly to be crushed by new exporters

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2006
Fed: AWBs monopoly to be crushed by new exporters

Australia's disgraced wheat marketer AWB appears set to lose its monopoly .. after
the 300 million dollar Iraqi bribes scandal .. with dozens of companies likely to be allowed
to export wheat.

A spokesman for the Wheat Export Authority says there were 44 applications to export
wheat to 20 nations by the close of applications on Friday.

The rush for export licences follows an inquiry .. which found AWB had paid 300 million
dollars worth of bribes to the regime of SADDAM HUSSEIN .. for access to the lucrative
Iraqi wheat market.

The government's since stripped AWB of its power to veto export applications .. and
handed the veto for six months to Agriculture Minister PETER MCGAURAN.

At the time Mr McGauran described the change as temporary ahead of next year's promised
overhaul of Australia's single-desk wheat marketing system.

AAP RTV pv/sb/rt

KEYWORD: AWB (CANBERRA)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.