Australian Wheat Growers Welcome the Delay in the U.S. Farm Bill.

December 17, 2001

Australian wheat growers have welcomed the news of a delay in the passing of a new U.S. farm bill, revealing that they will now take advantage of the opportunity to try and convince the U.S. Senate to change its plans for the bill, especially its passage of huge subsidies to U.S. farmers.

Australian Grains Council President Keith Perrett said that the bill as it stands could only harm Australia financially. In a statement he noted that "any delay in its passage should see more considered debate and hopefully a better outcome for Australian and U.S. producers in the long term."

Perret pointed out that the Senate farm bill would give U.S. agricultural producers a competitive advantage, and that "some of the most worrying proposals are the major increases in commodity specific domestic support and the opportunity to reintroduce the Export Subsidy Enhancement Program of export subsidies, which will continue to have a detrimental impact on Australian grain growers."