The Western Australian Farmers Federation claims WA is under-represented on the federal government's newly formed Wheat Industry Expert Group, with just one WA farmer appointed to the grower-controlled alliance which will oversee Australia's wheat exports.
The federation is also concerned about the tight time frame resulting from the government's decision to forge ahead with implementing the proposed new wheat exporting system before the 2008 harvest, which had caused great uncertainty among farmers.
WAFarmers grains section president Derek Clauson congratulated the appointments of WA's Graham Shields and Dan Mangelsdorf of New South Wales.
"WA and NSW produce approximately 70 percent of Australia's wheat crop, yet grower representatives of these two states hold less than 30 percent of the positions on the expert group," Mr Clauson said.
"It will be an extremely difficult task for Mr Mangelsdorf and Mr Shields to ensure the best interest of growers in NSW and WA are advocated and their voices given the weighting they deserve."
WAFarmers has welcomed the new federal government's approach to openly consulting the industry and public, however, it remains concerned that the approach may be aimed at keeping voters happy rather than at doing what is best for the industry and Australia's future.
"The announced membership of the Wheat Industry Expert Group does not seem to fairly represent Australia's Wheat Industry."
Mr Clauson said WAFarmers also remained perplexed as to why the federal minister for agriculture, Tony Burke, refused to heed advice to delay an overhaul of Australia's wheat exporting system.
He said both the New South Wales primary industries minister Ian Macdonald and WA minister for agriculture Kim Chance had requested Mr Burke delay the changes until after the 2008 harvest.
"Mr Burke appears to not want to heed the advice of the WA and NSW agriculture ministers, and this is highly disappointing.
"Coupled with the lack of consultation with peak state grower organisations and tight time frames associated with the mooted changes, this has put considerable doubt into growers minds for the 2008 cropping season," Mr Clauson said.
"There is an urgent need for the federal minister to consult with both WAFarmers and the NSW Farmers Association.
"Both farming organisations strongly support their respective state ministers' views on delaying the proposed new wheat exporting system, thereby giving some certainty to growers for their 2008 crop...the current situation is unacceptable to many financially stressed wheat growers in both states," Mr Clauson concluded.
