NSW Farmers has warned new port rules are necessary to reduce supply chain bottlenecks and get NSW grain to market following a record harvest in the state's northwest.
With just two ports to service the whole state, NSW Farmers Grains Committee Chair Justin Everitt said the grain industry's supply chain woes would only continue unless there were sweeping changes to the Wheat Port Code of Conduct.
"We're producing world-class wheat in huge volumes right here in NSW, but we're being outpaced by other countries because of the situation at our ports," Mr Everitt said.
"There's no point having world class produce if we can't deliver it, and so it's clear we need a more effective Wheat Port Code of Conduct if we are to address these issues and get our ports operating like they should.
"Streamlining the Code, making all of its provisions mandatory and expanding the Code to cover other bulk grains such as barley are the three key changes we need to see if we are to stop the high charges and inefficiencies at our limited ports."
A recent government review had failed to address increasing concerns around port operations, Mr Everitt said, with authorities urged to take a tougher approach to tackling supply chain inefficiencies.
"The Federal Government is saying a voluntary Port Code will do the job, but in reality, we know this will not go far enough to ensure ports are operating efficiently," Mr Everitt said.
"A Code of Conduct means very little unless it's mandatory, and the stakes are too high when it comes to getting our food and fibre into market.
"Port bottlenecks are strangling our production, and we simply have to change the way they operate for the better, if we are to drive our industry forward."
