Plains Producer
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Wednesday, May 23, 2012
STAR OF THE NORTH
Grains committee will go to ACCC over Viterra
Farmers ‘paying too much’ Light MP and select committee member Tony Piccolo said the evidence was raising serious concerns about the grain handling industry. Les Pearson reports:
MALCOLM and Faye mark the 30th anniversary of Malcolm’s transplant. PICTURE: Lisa Redpath.
CELEBRATING A MOST PRECIOUS GIFT For brother and sister Malcolm Sutton and Faye Pocock, the importance of organ donation can not be stressed enough. The Balaklava residents recently celebrated Malcolm’s 30th anniversary since his successful kidney transplant, donated by his
RED UNDIES WEEK MAY 27 – JUNE 2
w w w.kidney.org.au
By Sally Crowther sister, Faye, on May 7, 1982. “I had severely diseased kidneys and was on dialysis for six years, with two unsuccessful kidney transplants,” Malcolm said.
At the age of 20, soon after she had the legal right to donate her organs, Faye went under the knife to give her older brother, then age 27, the gift of her kidney. “I didn’t think twice about it,” Faye said. nCONTINUED PAGE 4
FARMERS are missing out on tens of millions of dollars in income because of a lack of competition in the grain handling chain, a select committee has heard. Canadian-owned firm Viterra is the state’s largest grain handling business – too big, according to some. Though Viterra denied the idea while giving evidence to the Select Committee on the Grain Handling Industry recently, many other witnesses, including farmers and Viterra’s competitors, allege the company had a near-monopoly on the grain handling market in SA. Several witnesses told the committee that this monopoly meant farmers were annually paying tens of millions of dollars more than they should be for grain handling and storage, and South Australian farmers paid far more than their interstate counterparts. Light MP and select committee member Tony Piccolo said the evidence was raising serious concerns about the grain handling industry. “Our primary industries are vital to South Australia’s success and future,” he said. “We cannot allow them to be undermined.” Some larger farms are increasingly developing on-site storage and handling facilities but the massive capital outlay required puts this option out of reach for many farmers. Instead, Mr Piccolo said, it was important for consumers and businesses to work together in harmony. “Competition is always a good thing – for consumers and for business,” he said. “It produces a fair price for the consumer. It also forces businesses to creatively innovate to succeed. “On the other hand, a monopoly allows big businesses to arbitrarily set high prices, which is bad for smaller businesses, producers and consumers; and it also stifles innovation.” nCONTINUED PAGE 4
Education
special feature p10–13 YFM350A 4X2
Marc’s Got Amnesia!
He can only remember these prices from when he first started working in the shop
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Marinated Pork Cutlets
To celebrate 35 years of friendly service. Marc has wound back the clock on prices. Help Marc celebrate for one week only and take advantage of these great specials
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Valid Until June 30, 2012 Or While Stocks Last
W.s.B. DistriButOrs 198 Main North Rd, CLARE Craig Hutchings 8842 2177
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Marc’s Meats
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