ABB Grain, CBH and GrainCorp have all had to submit formal undertakings to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), committing them to provide “fair and transparent access” to their grain export terminals for all wheat exporters in the deregulated marketplace.

Concerns have previously been raised by industry that allowing companies that ran an export terminal to also export wheat could lead to anti-competitive behaviour and favouritism at the port terminal.

However, the three companies concerned argue the need for port throughput will mean all exporters are welcome.

ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel told a Rural Press Club of Victoria breakfast in Melbourne today a draft decision on the suitability of the three companies’ undertakings would be handed down towards the end of July.

A final decision would be made by the end of September with the companies required to have an ACCC-approved undertaking in place by October 1 to retain their bulk wheat export accreditation.

And Mr Samuel reassured growers that if those access provisions weren’t up to scratch, it wouldn’t impact on market competition as offenders would lose their bulk wheat export accreditation.

“Keep in mind this - if by that point in time, there is not an acceptable undertaking in place in relation to access to ports, the vertical integration (of those companies) itself won’t be able to take place because the export accreditation that’s currently provided will no longer apply,” Mr Samuel said.

* Find out what Mr Samuel has to say about fertiliser prices in the July 23 issue of Stock & Land.