May 21, 2021
Katter’s Australian Party MP Shane Knuth has come out swinging in support of the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation’s Fair Go Dairy scheme.
“The recent challenge by the Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF) to attempt to set aside the ACCC ruling, authorising the Fair Go Dairy Scheme, is a disgraceful and contemptuous move, which everyone who supports our dairy farmers should be extremely angry about,” Mr Knuth said.
The Fair Go Dairy Scheme would enable a logo to be placed on brands of milk which deliver a fair price to dairy farmers in Queensland.
“The pilot program, which if successful, could pave the way for other states to follow and give consumers transparency and confidence the milk they buy, stamped with the Fair Go logo, is directly benefitting dairy farmers,” Mr Knuth said.
“Since the scheme was announced, there have been several challenges to the ACCC, with, I firmly believe, the backing and prodding by certain major supermarkets and processors to try and stop the logo from being launched.
“The question needs to be asked why? If major supermarkets and processors truly support our dairy farmers, then they should have no issue in allowing consumers to clearly identify which milk provides a fair price to dairy farmers.
“Instead we see slick propaganda campaigns, trumpeting support for our dairy farmers, when in reality dairy farms are disappearing and the industry could be gone within 10 years.
“Yes, it’s that bad. A once-thriving industry has been devastated by government deregulation, unscrupulous processors and the supermarket milk wars.
“I have no doubt the challenges to the ACCC and the latest challenge to their ruling is a delaying tactic to attempt to exhaust QDO funds, in the hope they will give up.
“I am warning those particular major supermarkets and processors (they know who they are) that the Fair Go logo WILL be launched.
“If you are not supporting the Fair Go logo, you will suffer a severe backlash from everyday Queensland consumers who want to see our dairy farmers paid a fair price for the milk they produce.”
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