Fed: AWB says FTA unlikely to provide benefits to grain growers

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2004
Fed: AWB says FTA unlikely to provide benefits to grain growers

Australia's wheat exporter AWB says a free trade agreement with the United States is
unlikely to provide any benefit to local graingrowers.

Chairman BRENDAN STEWART says the deal means little to AWB, which is the nation's monopoly
exporter of wheat.

He says the main benefits from the deal will flow to wheat gluten processors, but there
will be no gain in bulk grain exports between the US and Australia.

Mr STEWART says the World Trade Organisation is the place to deal with state trading
enterprises, and also the high level of domestic support afforded to grain growers in
countries like the United States.

AAP RTV sw/sb/as/rt

KEYWORD: TRADE US AWB (CANBERRA)

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