WAFarmers Calls For Govt Action Over Milk Pricing
AUSTRALIA - The Western Australian Farmers Federation (WAFarmers) is calling for the Federal Government to intervene against Coles’ milk pricing strategy amid disappointment that the final report by the Senate Economics References Committee did not recommend any immediate action.
WAFarmers Dairy Section President, Peter Evans, said that the evidence put forward by the
report clearly demonstrated that the transition from branded to private label milk has been
passed on to producers in certain States.
“This report fails to recognise that in some states, including in Western Australia, farmers are
paying the price for Coles’ discounting strategy, and we need the Federal Government to
take immediate and decisive action,” said Mr Evans.
“Coles’ price cuts are unsustainable, and the evidence proves this. WAFarmers is calling on
the Government to provide assistance before more dairy farmers leave the industry.”
The Senate Committee recommended that the Government commission a study of the
dairy industries in Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, focusing on the
future sustainability of the dairy industry and its ability to meet future local customer
demand.
“While WAFarmers does support this recommendation, the dairy industry cannot afford to
wait for months while another study is undertaken before any action occurs,” said Mr
Evans.
“There are steps that can be taken straightaway, such as implementing a supply chain
code of conduct or strengthening the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, and the
Federal Government should be undertaking these immediately.”
WAFarmers will continue to lobby for fair pricing strategies that do not lead to reductions in
the commodity prices paid to local farmers.
TheCattleSite News Desk