And they say that if they stop purchasing the minerals from the occupied country, someone else will buy it instead.
Read also: Demands halt to Tasmanian phosphate imports
WSRW could earlier in May reveal that the Australian fertiliser company Impact imports phosphate rock from the occupied Western Sahara, in violation of international law. The trade with the Moroccan occupying regime in Western Sahara is against the wishes and interests of the local people, the Sahrawis. The Australian Western Sahara Association May 6th demanded in a letter to the company n May 6th 2008 that the imports stops.

Australia is one of the leading importers of phosphates from the occupied territory. According to Impact, someone else will just import instead, if they stop.


"Ms Cate Lewis
Secretary
Australian Western Sahara Association
PO Box 164
CLIFTON HILL VICT 3068

Dear Cate,
In response to your letter dated 6 May 2008. Impact Fertilisers does import phosphate rock from Western Sahara. We hold a contrary view and advice to that expressed by you regarding the legitimacy of the trade.

Whilst we continually review our rock sources based on suitability and cost for our production system, this source remains a key and viable source for our production requirements.

In relation to your assertion that if all Australian importers were to act together to cease this trade it would alter the issues or referendum, this is fundamentally flawed. Australia is a relatively small proportion of the trade from Western Sahara and any void left would soon be filled by other purchasers.

Regards,
David Ford
CEO & Director"