Agribusiness

Safety nets or self regulation: What should happen in the event of grain insolvencies?

Henry Wells, August 25, 2016

A farmer running his hand along crops in a wheat fieldWhen a grain trading firm collapses­­­, leaving growers and other creditors owed large sums of money, what can be done?

It’s a reality of business according to some and has to be managed, while others suggest grain transactions should be the subject of some kind of safety net.

The collapse of Riverina-region business, Barooga Agriproducts, last month has bought the impact of insolvencies on affected growers and creditors back into focus, along with the question of what can be done to mitigate against such impacts.

Victorian family grain farming partner, Leo Delahunty, Murtoa, told Grain Central this week the possibility of establishing an institutional structure to protect sales seemed remote.

“I don’t believe a licensing or regulatory approach would solve the issue,” Mr Delahunty said.

The issue has generated significant attention in recent years.

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In the wake of a string of ­­­grain-trading firm collapses a few years ago, estimated to have cost the Victorian grain industry alone about $50 million, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) called for Government intervention to ensure greater protection for growers.

It released a draft discussion paper recommending the Government support the implementation of a grain trader licensing regime and guarantee fund, similar to those used in parts of the United States and Canada.

Professionalism and accountability

Grain traders dealt in millions of dollars of growers’ money but “only needed a laptop and mobile phone to operate”, a VFF discussion paper on the issue noted.

It went on to say: “Such market failures demonstrate a very real need to increase the level of professionalism and accountability in the grain trade, which can only be achieved through the assistance of government to implement a form of industry self-funded self-regulation such as a licensing scheme.”

Intervention or market-based solution?

The VFF’s view was that enforceable standards and accountability were needed in the cash grain trade, bearing in mind that the non-cash trade (such as forwards, swaps and other management tools used by farmers) required compliance with Australian Financial Services (AFS) license conditions.

It recommended the Government facilitate a form of industry self-funded self regulation such as a licensing scheme and guarantee fund.

In about 30 United States’ legislatures and several Canadian provinces, grain insurance funds were in place to guarantee producers would be compensated for grain sold to, or stored with, state-licensed grain dealers or warehousemen, if that licensee became insolvent.

However, others saw government intervention as less preferred and argued for market-based solutions instead.

Grain Trade Australia (GTA), which has a mandate to facilitate trade and oversee grain-trading rules and contractual conditions in the Australian grain industry, said that while insolvencies were a serious and regrettable occurrence, they did not equate to “market failure” and were a fundamental part of any market.

In its response to the VFF, GTA said government intervention could only be justified where market failure was evident.

“As a statement of principle, we would oppose any proposals which might have the effect of penalising prudent operators,” it said.

GTA builds skills along transaction pathway

GTA said it had taken several initiatives aimed at reducing the number, and impact of, insolvencies in recent years, such as education and awareness programs, legal or statutory intervention and changes to GTA governance procedures.

“Whilst it is not possible to detail the exact effect that any of these actions has had, we believe it is likely that these actions have reduced the number and impact of insolvencies within the Australian grain sector,” it said (see GTA’s detailed response to VFF here).

It preferred a self-regulation model given that it was unlikely any regulatory system could be guaranteed to prevent insolvencies, and would increase costs for both producers and the trade.

The VFF was preparing a statement to update its position on this issue at the time of Grain Central’s daily news email was sent today, we will the VFF’s response in tomorrow’s news update.

Also tomorrow: 

  • Actions growers can take to mitigate their risk
  • Updates on safeguards afforded to growers under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 

 

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Comments

  1. Ron Storey, August 26, 2016

    Will be worth covering in your follow up article next week that all this is dealing with the problem AFTER the horse has bolted!… Grain gone, no cash. The easy alternative for growers and buyers is CLEAR – online, no paperwork, but critically no cash, no grain!! Title stays with seller till $s received – easy!

  2. william Stapleton, August 25, 2016

    All export meat processors do not sell without
    Credit insurance on buyer This is not expensive and keeps your bank happy as well. If insurer wont cover buyer find another trader
    QBE are specilist insurers

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