[Greens-Media] Greens call for warning on fruit and veg price shock

[John Kaye]

Greens call for warning on fruit and veg price shock 
 
Media Release: 29 June 2007
 
As water for irrigators in the Murray-Darling all but disappears and
prices of essential fruit and vegetable are like to soar, the Greens are
calling on NSW Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney to issue a consumer
food price alert.
 
Commenting on an article on page 4 of today’s Sydney Morning Herald,
Greens NSW MP and consumer affairs spokesperson Dr John Kaye said: “The
cruel irony of our climate is that while many coastal areas of the South
East of Australia are in flood, the Murray-Darling system is almost out
of water for irrigated food production.
 
“It is widely expected that zero water allocations will be announced on
Sunday. 
 
“I have written to NSW Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney requesting
that she start work on preparing a consumer food price alert.
 
“Production of many important food stuffs will drop dramatically
causing suppliers to push up prices and increase reliance on expensive
imported foods. 
 
“The Greens are calling on the state government to conduct an urgent
investigation of likely impacts on food prices and issue a warning
outlining which foods are at risk and likely impacts on household
budgets.
 
“Retail prices of fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy products and some
grains and snacks will soar. At particular risk are table grapes,
apples, pears, stone fruit, lemons, mandarins, grapefruits, tomatoes,
lettuce and salad vegetables.
 
“NSW Fair Trading Minister Burney has a responsibility to protect
consumers in NSW. Warning households of impending price rises will help
them budget for the lean times that might be ahead.
 
“We are concerned that nutrition standards, particularly for the young
and the vulnerable, will fall dramatically unless households make
financial provisions to tide them through possible shortages. 
 
“Global warming could bring more frequent and severe droughts. The
state government can help people learn how to adjust to fluctuations in
food prices.
 
“Few living Australians remember food shortages and rising prices. The
Minister has the opportunity to help the community prepare budgets and
make financial provisions for rising food prices,” Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information:John Kaye 0407 195 455
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: John.Kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000