13 July 2009 in Media
Dairy Industry Needs Support
Dairy farmers in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula need immediate financial assistance from the Rudd Government to prevent financial disaster in the industry and the loss of many jobs.
Collapsing prices and the reintroduction of trade distorting subsidies by the EU and US have combined to push many farmers to the wall.
Milk prices are at record lows and farmers are selling their milk for between 5 and 10 cents per litre below the cost of production.
Farmers are also being forced to sell off valuable breeding stock and lay off workers as they battle to stay in business. This is putting enormous pressure on farmers and their communities.
The Rudd Government has so far ignored the plight of the farmers, many angry that assistance is given to other struggling industries including Australia’s top banks.
The dairy farmers in Mayo have made representations to me on this issue and I hold genuine fears for the future of this important industry.
I am calling on the Minister of Agriculture to immediately act and implement an assistance package for the dairy industry.