DAIRY farmers say they feel like they have been slapped in the face after supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles announced they would both introduce a new lines of milk giving 10c/litre back to drought affected farmers.
Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation president Brian Tessmann said while it was a good start, the introduction of a new range of fresh milk products were likely deliver only very modest benefits to farmers compared to the extent of the drought disaster that was impacting on the dairy industry.
“The 10c/litre needs to be applied to all sizes, all brands, across all states to even partially relieve the financial burden facing dairy farmers who are being crippled by the cost of feed,” Mr Tessmann said.
The 10c/litre needs to be applied to all sizes, all brands, across all states to even partially relieve the financial burden facing dairy farmers who are being crippled by the cost of feed.
- Brian Tessmann, Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation
“The drought that is hurting so many farmers is nowhere near over.
“Coles’ announcement that they will apply the levy until Christmas shows how little they understand the agricultural sector.
“To have any impact the drought levy needs to stay on all fresh milk until we know we are out of drought and our farmers are back on their feet.”
Mr Tessmann said the 10c/litre drought levy campaign had demonstrated to both Woolworths and Coles the value of community sentiment and the importance of listening to their customers.
“We will continue to urge shoppers to petition supermarkets to apply the levy on all brands and all sizes in all states until the drought is over,” Mr Tessmann said.