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Australian Government Undermines AWB's Monopoly

Under a new Australian government plan, AWB will no longer own a wheat export monopoly in the country.

For the next six months, Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran now has the power to veto wheat exports, allowing him to let other grain companies export wheat.

The current setup is part of the government's interim plan in place for wheat marketing while a new plan is being developed.

West Australian grains group Co-operative Bulk Handling says more than 70% of Western Australia's wheat has been warehoused or submitted to CBH, which a CBH spokeswoman says is a sign that producers are looking for alternatives.