QUESTIONS ON NOTICE › Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Question No. 2112)
Senator Ludwig: The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows: (1) Wheat Exports Australia (WEA) has no role in managing the quality of Australian wheat exports. (2) See answer to Part 1. (3) While Australia does not have legislated quality standards for the export of wheat, industry has a well established market-driven system to secure and maintain long-term access to key export markets, particularly those which return a price premium. This system is supported by a number of government and industry initiatives. For example, DAFF Biosecurity provides export inspection and certification services to ensure trade descriptions are accurate and to reduce the risk of insects, pests and noxious weeds. The National Residue Survey monitors compliance with Australian Maximum Residue Limit standards and works with bulk-handling companies to sample bulk shipments of wheat. Wheat Quality Australia, a joint initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation and Grain Trade Australia (GTA), manages Australia's wheat variety classification and consults regularly with domestic industry and international customers. GTA is responsible for the development of receival standards applied by storage agents across the country. These are also reviewed annually in consultation with industry.