GrainCorp says the debate over its proposed takeover by US grains giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) needs to focus on the facts.
Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey is facing pressure from senior Nationals MPs to block the proposed $3.4 billion takeover.
Describing the debate over foreign ownership and Graincorp's potential takeover as intense was perhaps an understatement, the company's chief executive Alison Watkins said on Thursday.
"We don't think that is a bad thing at all," she said during a briefing on GrainCorp's annual financial results.
"The important thing is to ask that the debate focuses on the facts and is a fact based discussion."
It was important to recognise that the grains supply chain on the east coast of Australia was very competitive, and there were many marketing alternatives for growers, Ms Watkins said.
The ports handling grain are also regulated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
"Those are some of the important facts that we want to draw all the people who've a view on this back to," Ms Watkins said.
"It does sometimes get lost in this debate that's going on."
Ms Watkins said the ADM offer was a very good one for GrainCorp shareholders.
GrainCorp was "comfortable" with ADM's credentials, and the benefits becoming part of their network would bring to Australia and Australian growers, she said.
Asked what she thought of billionaire politician Clive Palmer's view that Australia needs an independent agricultural industry, Ms Watkins acknowledged there were a lot of people expressing their views.
"Some of them are better informed, and some of them are less well informed," she said.
Mr Hockey is due to make a decision on the takeover by December 17.
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