Senate Inquiry confrms unconscionable treatment of growers by big supermarkets and Bunnings

of farmers.

“Key recommendations include investing $1 billion over four years into regional infrastructure to enhance Australia’s international freight supply chains and $2 billion over four years to support complementary measures in the Murray-Darling Basin.

“We also want to see the Government commit to the farm gap-year program

AgCAREERSTART, an initiative boasting an 83% retention rate of graduates staying on in agriculture.

“Investing real dollars into these ideas will form a strategic web that intertwines economic growth, environmental stewardship, social wellbeing, and regional resilience.”

Mr Jochinke said the farm sector would be watching closely as the Treasurer handed down the Budget on May 14.

“Last year’s budget contained a nasty surprise for farmers – the Biosecurity Protection Levy.

“We hope the Government has realised it’s much better to work with farmers so we can strengthen a sector all Australians rely on.

“Not only can the government back farmers by supporting our recommendations, the budget is the opportune time to strike a line through harmful policies like the biosecurity levy and the live export ban.

“These are smart and sensible ideas that will allow agriculture to charge on towards its $100 billion goal.”

The NFF Horticulture Council has today welcomed the report by the Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices, which reveals the true cost of supermarket power and exploitative behaviour being borne by both Australian households and the national horticulture industry.

Chair of the Council

Jolyon Burnett said that while the evidence of price gouging at the checkout has not surprised anyone, there has been shock at the evidence of widespread appalling treatment of fresh produce suppliers.

“What started as an important investigation into supermarket pricing practices on struggling households has also provided widespread examples and growing appreciation of the impacts of supermarket profteering on the sustainability of Australian fresh produce and nursery businesses and supply chains,” said Mr Burnett.

“The Select Committee has today reported on troubling testimony from growers, of predatory pricing practices that exploit the perishable nature of fresh produce, the imposition on growers of costs and risks outside their control, and of an almost universal fear of commercial retribution should any objections be raised.

“Not only are growers getting a raw deal with every trade, they’re also left with little proft to reinvest in the productivity of their businesses. Our partners, including transport operators, are also getting squeezed leaving our food supply chain weak and susceptible to disruption.

“But this report is just part of a growing base of evidence that is painting supermarkets and Bunnings in the same light as the big four banks following the

Royal Commission into that industry.

“Still unfolding is the Review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct led by Dr Craig Emerson, due to report by 30 June, and the ACCC Supermarkets Inquiry 2024-25, expected to table an interim report no later than 31 August with a fnal report due next February.

“We expect the ACCC reporting in particular to paint a far more vivid picture of unscrupulous supermarket practices given the addition powers of the ACCC to compel evidence and testimony.

The Council has welcomed recommendations by the Select Committee to dramatically tighten provisions within the Food and Grocery Code and attach signifcant penalties for any breaches.

“These recommendations accord with those already being fagged by Dr Emerson and will work to start levelling the playing feld for growers,” said Mr Burnett.

“But it will all be for nothing if the ACCC isn’t appropriately empowered and resourced to act as a tough cop on the beat.

“The incentives and drive everyday within supermarkets and Bunnings to deliver ever greater profts to shareholders at the expense of consumers and growers has to be met, not just by big penalties for breaching the Food and Grocery Code and other Competition Law, but by the very real prospect of getting caught.

“So, along with many customers and supermarket suppliers, the Council is calling on the Federal government in its Budget next week to deliver a substantial, ongoing investment in the ACCC to deliver on its new monitoring and compliance expectations.