McCain closure a huge blow for Tasmania

The closure of the McCain Foods vegetable processing plant in Smithton is a devastating blow to the Circular Head community and the Tasmanian vegetable industry.

“I am incredibly concerned about the announcement made today, as will be the McCain employees and the Circular Head community,” Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck said.

“I am also deeply concerned at the statement made by McCain that indicates vegetables will now be sourced from New Zealand. This will have a major impact on vegetable growers across the State and their ability to gain fair prices.”

Senator Colbeck said the plant closure also represented a significant policy failure by the Rudd Labor Government in the areas of agriculture and food manufacturing.

“This closure will amount to a critical loss of core infrastructure for agriculture and food processing that will be very difficult to replace. And, as McCain stated today, the cost of upgrading and replacing infrastructure is prohibitive.

“With the loss of such infrastructure, the pressures for major supermarkets to purchase cheap vegetables overseas will be exacerbated.

“Coles supermarkets’ intention to re-introduce an Australian-badged line must be acknowledged – they deserve credit for this and more action such as this should be encouraged.

“The importance of the Australian Grown label developed by the Coalition government is now even greater.

“The Rudd Labor Government needs to provide a comprehensive response to this plant closure and loss of jobs, which will impact not just on the plant’s employees, but on the entire Tasmanian vegetable industry.”
SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry