ACCC accepts Emerald port access undertaking

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has accepted Emerald Grain Group's wheat port access undertaking, which will be in place at the start of October.

Emerald supply chain and operations general manager John Warda said the group was in favour of ports and Australian grain market competition.

"Competition at Australian ports and grain storage facilities means a better return for Australian growers," he said.

"Emerald Grain worked closely with the ACCC to develop a port access undertaking which the industry feels is equitable and makes the Melbourne Port Terminal a viable and attractive export option for grain exporters in Victoria and southern New South Wales."

In its undertaking, Emerald Grain addressed ACCC concerns on target percentage of grain to be transported to port by rail.

Emerald Grain clarified customer agreement was required for stock swaps and made clear the indicative access agreement applied only to port services for bulk wheat exports, in line with the legislation.

More information can be found at the ACCC website, www.accc.gov.au/regulated-infrastructure/wheat-export/emerald-logistics-2013/final-decision .