Australian farmers' Iraq fury

If the government allows politics to get in the way of trade, we will have to pursue them for compensation

Australia's drought-stricken farmers are threatening to sue their government over the war in Iraq.

But it is not Prime Minister John Howard's staunch support of President George W Bush's battle plans that is causing the problem - it is the future of Australia's 2 million tonnes in annual grain exports to Iraq.

The 9,000-strong Western Australian and South Australian Farmers Federations, which export close to 95% of their production, fear a US victory will mean American farmers gain preferential access to Iraqi markets.

The Australian farmers claim a half-century history of trading with Iraq, now worth A$800m a year, will suffer.

'No choice'

"We hear reports that US grain farmers have made it known they want the Iraqi market after the war," WAFarmers' president, Colin Nicholl, told BBC News Online.

"It's up to the Australian government to make sure that doesn't happen.

Public opinion has opposed war without UN sanction
"If they allow politics to get in the way of trade, we will have to pursue them for compensation.

"We know it's going to be hard, but we have no choice," he added.

Australian special forces, warships and fighter jets are participating in the US-led assault on Iraq, despite widespread public opposition to the lack of United Nations sanction for the attack.

US grain has been off the menu for Iraq ever since the Gulf war in 1991, but 600,000 tonnes of wheat has been earmarked by the US Department of Agriculture for food aid. >>>cont

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