The plight of dairy farmers is an emergency that requires the action of everyone, Farmer Power president Chris Gleeson says.
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Mr Gleeson is appealing to businesses and members of the south-west community to become industry champions.
“Every day we are likely to lose more farmers and the rest won’t hold on for long,” he said. “We need help to campaign for a decent outcome.”
A Farmer Power petition now circulating the south-west is calling for community action.
Mr Gleeson said an easy way the community could help was make sure they buy Australian dairy products.
“When you’re in the supermarket, make sure you’re buying Australian,” he said.
He also urged people to ask food outlets if they’re using Australian cheese in their products.
“It’s another way to help save the farmers.”
Mr Gleeson said with every day that passed, more dairy farmers were going under.
“Milk supply has already fallen and is set to plummet further,” he said.
Mr Gleeson said in spite of promises and statements from politicians, there had been no action taken to resolve fundamental issues crippling the industry.
“They’re saying that they are doing all they can with welfare subsidies and appeals for bank sympathy but these are inadequate band-aids measures,” he said.
Mr Gleeson said the problems facing dairy farmers were not new.
“Politicians and industry promised urgent action three years ago.”
Mr Gleeson said Farmer Power was doing its best to persuade farmers to hang on.
“The benefits from the Free Trade Agreements are not flowing through to farmers,” he said.
“Soon there won’t be any dairy product to export. We need decisive action to save the dairy industry now.”
Mr Gleeson challenged assumptions that had been made by some.
“The average dairy farm is operating at a loss,” he said.
“Farmgate milk price doesn’t increase when the global price goes up and the depreciation of the Australian dollar more than makes up for the depression of global milk price.
“Regulated or deregulated, in the dairy industry there is no free market to negotiate prices, which is why we need an industry review.”
Farmer Power provided politicians three suggestions for possible action.
“They need to announce an independent review of the Australian dairy industry, introduce a levy on the supermarket milk price to be passed on to farmers and provide an immediate cash injection to farmers who are struggling,” Mr Gleeson said.
Farmer Power thanked supporters and encouraged them to sign the petition at http://chn.ge/1TRp3hc