· Opposition Leader to spell out to Kirin the impact milk prices are having on Tasmanian farmers

· Fighting fund for dairy awareness campaign gathers momentum

· Government has to back our dairy farmers during this difficult time

There should be a fighting fund to help dairy farmers campaign against the milk prices they getting, and it should be supported by the State Government.

This campaign should go right to the top. I for one will be writing to the Japanese conglomerate Kirin, which owns National Foods, to express my concerns about the way Tasmanian dairy farmers are being treated and to clearly outline the impact that this is having on them.

Tasmanian dairy farmers have seen their prices for milk slashed from an average 49.7c per litre, to an average 29.6c, and as little as 20.8c. Costs of production are about 39c a litre and farmer interstate are receiving far in excess of what Tasmanian producers are paid.

There is also a massive discrepancy between the prices that farmers are paid for their milk and what consumers are charged.

The extremely wet conditions are only adding to the woes of dairy farmers, and without government leadership, and swift support, one of the major sectors of Tasmania’s agricultural community could be on its knees.

Dairy represents 24% of the value of farm production in Tasmania and underpins significant downstream processing. It is of major importance to our State’s economy and the difficult circumstances facing farmers at this time will have serious flow on effects for the wider economy.

Members of the State Opposition have spent the past two days in the North West meeting with dairy farmers who are battling a double whammy of plummeting milk prices and extremely wet conditions.

We have heard some very distressing stories from farmers about the impact this situation is having on them and their families.

Many feel that the government has completely abandoned them at this time. They hear David Bartlett talk about food bowls but then not back his rhetoric up with action when it really matters.

In addition to a fighting fund for Tasmanian dairy farmers there needs to be a broader awareness campaign on some of the issues they are facing. I also urge the government to consider fodder subsidies or interest free loans to help dairy keep stock in condition – or else we will have an even more serious problem on our hands in the months to come.

Additional resources should be provided for counselling to affected farmers and there should be consideration of animal health measures, such as veterinary assistance.

Farmers are the lifeblood of our economy and we need a strong dairy sector to help drive our economy forward for the future. The Tasmanian Liberals back our dairy farmers and we urge the government to wake up and start dealing with this crisis.
Will Hodgman