[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: C'mon Woolworths - farmers want fairness not charity

[Parnell]

Media Release
14th February 2008

C'mon Woolworths - farmers want fairness not charity


Greens MLC Mark Parnell has called on Woolworths to offer fairer prices
to farmers all year round, rather than charity through tomorrow's
so-called "National Drought Action Day"

"One day's charity doesn't replace decent prices for farmers all year
round," Mr Parnell said.

"Three decades ago Woolworths and Coles had just over a third of the
grocery market.  Now they have about 80 per cent.  That level of power
and control is simply not healthy.

"Increased market power means less competition and lower prices.
Farmers are really struggling to find decent prices because of the power
of the big supermarkets. So it's a bit insulting when they then turn
around and offer one day's charity back," he said.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has recently launched
an enquiry into concerns that grocery food prices had increased faster
than inflation. 

"While prices at the check-out have been rapidly rising, farm gate
prices paid to farmers have not kept pace, and in some cases have gone
down.  

"Woolworths are in a wonderful position to use their market power to
make a real and lasting difference to our farmers. 

"If they are genuine about helping rural Australia, they should stop
robbing producers of the real value of their products, and start paying
decent prices 365 days of the year. 

"Otherwise, tomorrow's 'Drought Action Day' should be regarded as little
more than a PR stunt," he said.

 

	
For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893

	
 


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