Liberal candidate for Gilmore Warren Mundine has called on supermarkets and milk processors to stop “screwing local farmers and give them a fair and decent price for their milk”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“It is a disgrace that such a sustainable industry, a massive industry for regional Australia, NSW and in particular the South Coast is being massively screwed by the retailers and the middle men [processors],” Mundine said.
“The retailers are playing a major role but the processors are screwing them as well.”
Labor has said it will set a minimum milk price for farmers if elected at the federal election later this year.
Mr Mundine said action had to be taken so a “historic, wonderful industry wasn’t destroyed”.
Read more:
“I welcomed Woolworths’ move earlier this week to scrap the $1 a litre milk,” he said.
“I would like to see all supermarkets come to the party and do the same and the processors have a role to play in this as well.
“I’m hoping some common sense will prevail and they will all follow suit.
Supermarkets and milk processors need to stop screwing local farmers and give them a fair and decent price for their milk.
- Liberal Gilmore candidate Warren Mundine
“I’ve been working with the Prime Minister’s office on how we can get a proper base milk price for dairy farmers of the South Coast.
“I’m willing to argue that case but would prefer that the grocery stores and milk processors can show some common sense.
“It’s not sustainable and it’s in their own interests and the interests of the industry not to decimate it - they should actually be doing it.
“At the same time if they don’t come on board I’m happy to have a look at it.”
Mr Mundine has met with South Coast dairy farmers and spoken to numerous suppliers while attending local shows over the past few weeks.
“I know local farmers are currently receiving between 48 and 52 cents a litre and need 62 cents just to break even,” he said
“Up to 72 cents would actually allow them to make investment and build their businesses.
“How can it be sustainable if they are receiving 10 cents less than what is survival rate?
“I was born in Grafton, another very strong dairy area. I have that background knowledge and understanding of what the dairy farmers are telling me.
“I understand their position.”