AWB, formerly the Australian Wheat Board, is Australia’s monopoly wheat exporter.
Australia’s wheat exporter AWB has been suspended from US government contracts and faces permanent exclusion, for paying bribes to Iraq’s former regime.
The step was taken “based on evidence of illicit activities”, said US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.
Last month, a judicial inquiry found AWB broke UN oil-for-food programme rules by paying Saddam Hussein $222m (£112m) to secure contracts
Australia’s wheat exporter AWB is to temporarily lose its monopoly over wheat exports, after a report into bribes paid to Iraq’s former regime.
A judicial inquiry found AWB broke United Nations oil-for-food programme rules by paying Saddam Hussein $222m (£112m) to secure contracts.
The government said AWB would lose its power to veto exports for six months
North American wheat farmers are seeking $1bn (£540m) in damages from Australian wheat exporter AWB, claiming it has used corruption to win business.
They have filed a class action in Washington, using US anti-racketeering laws designed to fight organised crime.
AWB is accused of using bribery and corrupt means to win grain sales in Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan and Indonesia, at the expense of US and Canadian farmers
Iraq has suspended business dealings with Australia’s monopoly wheat exporter AWB, the company has said.
The suspension will remain in force until the completion of an inquiry into allegations that the firm paid bribes to the former regime of Saddam Hussein.
“AWB is disappointed by the decision,” said chairman Brendan Stewart