Growers of durum wheat today (1 November) challenged the tenuous hold of the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) on export sales, by stating that they wanted to export directly to Europe. The durum crop is famous for its use in the production of high quality pasta, and growers such as Warwick Hooper believe that he AWB is ill equipped to deal with its exportation. The lack of growers' confidence does not deter the AWB, however, which is battling to retain control.