THE Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is continuing to slow the development of Iran as a potential live sheep market, according to former Kalgoorlie MP Graeme Campbell.
Mr Campbell has been pushing for Iran to open as a live export market with the potential to take 1.2 million sheep a year from Australia, but he said despite a letter from the Iranian embassy, DAFF was still not willing to travel to Qeshm to sign an MOU.
Last week a letter was sent from the Iranian Ambassador acknowledging the Qeshm Free Trade and industrial Zone authority (Qeshm Free Zone Organisation).
"The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Office of DAFF, the assurances of its highest considerations," a part of the letter said.
But Mr Campbell said when speaking with DAFF, apparently it was not enough and DAFF was still seeking further clarification.
Mr Campbell said the process is being slowed up because of DAFF's ignorance and ego.
"I mean how would Australia feel if our Ambassador wrote something then a country said, oh well, hang on we better check this out," Mr Campbell said.
The time for a new sheep market couldn't be more crucial for sheep producers and exporters, in particular with issues in Bahrain, Kuwait, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
But Mr Campbell said the development of Iran was progressing much too slowly.
A spokesperson for DAFF says it was pursuing the development of a Memorandum of Understanding with Iranian authorities over the export of Australian livestock.
DAFF said it was not considering negotiating a separate MoU with Qeshm authorities.
