Wheat ships in limbo amid political row

[cal04]

Five shipments of Australian wheat have been prevented from unloading in Iraq, amid claims the United States is pressuring Iraq to stop buying Australian wheat in favour of American grain. The shipments are on hold while officials further investigate claims the wheat is contaminated with iron filings.

The Federal Opposition says three ships are sitting off the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr while another two ships have been unloaded in Kuwait. Labor's agriculture spokesman, Gavan O'Connor, has backed claims by former wheat board boss Trevor Flugge that the US is pressuring Iraq to stop buying Australian wheat.

"It is my understanding that Mr Flugge's comments are on the mark," Mr O'Connor said. "The Australian market in Iraq is under considerable political pressure. "We don't mind battling it out in this market on the basis of the quality of the product, the price and the supportive arrangements that we provide to the client as an industry. "What we won't tolerate is political interference in this very important market to Australian wheat growers."

Mr O'Connor is calling for Agriculture Minister Warren Truss, who is in the Middle East, to sort out the stand-off. A spokesman for wheat exporter AWB Limited has confirmed the shipments have been prevented from unloading in Iraq and says talks are continuing between AWB and Iraqi officials. He denies any contamination of the wheat.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200504/s1354487.htm

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. There's your thanks for helping with the illegal invasion - -

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Iraq is now the 51st state doncha know?

only Murikkan Korporate bizness here please . . .

[Judi Lynn]

2. Very shabby way to treat an ally.

_Bush needs all the friends he can get. Behavior like this should be BENEATH any country's administration.

Shameful.