Bid For A Fairer Deal For Farmers And Food Processors

Time is running out for SA primary producers and other people in the food processing industry to make submissions to a State Parliamentary inquiry into organisational and Market structures that prevent them receiving a fair deal.

Parliament’s Economic and Finance Committee is undertaking an inquiry recommended by the Member for Light, Mr Tony Piccolo, into the current public policy settings for the organisational and Market structures of the horticultural, viticultural and agricultural sectors and associated processing. Mr Piccolo said the inquiry has adopted a two stage process to ensure we have a good understanding of the issues the Committee needs to tackle.

“In the first stage of the process we are asking interested parties to submit details of issues they believe should be investigated through the inquiry, said Mr Piccolo. “The Committee will then prepare and publish an issues paper to outline the matters that its intends to investigate, and invite further submissions while hearing evidence from witnesses.” “I am looking forward to hearing from priMary producers about how we can make the industries more competitive and address the imbalance between producers and big retailers.

“The enquiry will be looking at all the various barriers that exist along the supply chain from farm gate to plate. “I will be particularly interested in hearing how we can give producers a greater say in the supply chain, increase competition and grow the sector. “I am keen to explore how producer, Market gardener, worker and consumer co-operatives could be utilised to create a more financially sustainable food sector”, he said PriMary Producers South Australia (PPSA) have welcomed the inquiry and suggested viticulture and grain Markets could see particular benefits. Chairman of PPSA Rob Kerrin has been quoted on the ABC as saying a look into supply chains was valuable. "If the committee are willing to look into the supply chain, I think there will be a fair bit of interest across the state in all industries,” Mr Kerin told the ABC.

Submissions for the first stage of the inquiry close on Friday 3rd February 2017 and should be directed to Ms Lisa Baxter, Executive Officer, Economic and Finance Committee, Parliament House, North Terrace, ADELAIDE SA 5000, or via email to EFC.Assembly@parliament.sa.gov.au or by phoning (08) 8237 9223.