ISLAMABAD, March 3: The Australian government has welcomed Islamabad's decision to resample and retest Australian wheat previously rejected against claims that it had not met quality specifications and was contaminated with Karnal bunt fungus.

This was stated by Trade Minister Mark Vaile and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Warren Truss in a joint statement of the Australia High Commission at Islamabad issued here on Wednesday.

"Karnal bunt was not known to occur in Australia," they maintained. The ministers further said that wheat was tested before shipment and found to be disease-free and above the specified quality standards. "AWB Ltd stands by its claims that the cargoes meet specification."

Officials of AWB Ltd and the Australian government department of agriculture are now in Pakistan working with the Australian High Commission, the importer of wheat and Pakistani authorities to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.

"Our High Commission in Pakistan, Howard Brown has made a series of high-level representations to senior Pakistani government figures, underlining our concern at the rejection of the cargoes and the need to resolve the matter quickly, correctly and completely."

The Australian government anticipates the continuing cooperation between the two governments in clearly establishing the facts in this case as soon as possible, the announcement added.