GREENS CALL FOR PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO DAIRY INDUSTRY

…as well as the Behaviour of the TFGA and Corporate Communications

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today called for the establishment of a Joint House Select Parliamentary Committee to inquire into and make recommendations on the current state of the Tasmanian dairy industry.

Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP said the committee would specifically investigate:

· Whether National Foods has used its monopoly powers to exploit or intimidate farmers;

· Whether the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) or its Chief Executive have colluded with National Foods in order to damage the effectiveness of the collective suppliers group that has been negotiating on behalf of affected farmers;

· The role of the company Corporate Communications in undermining Tasmanian dairy farmers’ negotiations with National Foods;

· The flow-on effects that lowering the milk price to National Foods will have on other Tasmanian dairy suppliers and the wider Tasmanian economy; and,

· Any other matters concerning the Tasmanian dairy industry.

Mr Booth also said that the Committee would undertake to deliver its report by the 19th of December this year.

“Tasmanian dairy farmers are being stabbed in the back by their representative organisations, who have taken the side of National Foods in trying to force the farmers to sell their milk at prices below the cost of production, and it is time for Parliament to use its powers to investigate this situation,” said Mr Booth.

“The behaviour of the TFGA is disgraceful, and their secretive meeting or meetings with National Foods must be investigated, and explained.”

“The Greens are calling on Labor and Liberal parties to support their motion to set up a Joint House Parliamentary Committee inquiry into the situation facing Tasmanian dairy farmers, as well as the behaviour of the TFGA and Corporate Communications, and the flow-on effects for the Tasmanian economy if National Foods’ suppliers are forced to produce and sell milk at prices that are below the cost of production,” said Mr Booth.
Kim Booth MP Greens Primary Industries Spokesperson