Press Release

A review is now required to close down the ‘closed loop’ marketing monopoly on WA’s noodle wheat varieties according to the Pastoralists and Graziers Association.

PGA Western Graingrowers Chairman Leon Bradley said this week’s decision by Intergrain to refund levies collected for Carnamah wheat was welcomed by WA growers and confirmed the levy’s dubious legality.

“The PGA will now be focussing on the decision by Intergrain to force noodle wheat growers to sell their grain exclusively to the Grain Pool,” Mr Bradley said.

“These noodle wheat varieties were developed with taxes and GRDC levies paid by growers who now sell to a variety of traders.”

“We do not accept that Intergrain can require these growers to sell noodle wheat only to the Grain Pool, on the dubious claim that they will receive a premium.”

“In fact if plant breeders believe they have a right to force levy paying growers to sell to a single buyer, growers should question the merits of funding variety development by compulsory levy.”