Senate puts supermarkets on notice

The first round of hearings began in Hobart on Thursday, March 7, then Orange on March 12 and Melbourne at Tullamarine on March 13. Further dates may be announced.

National Farmers Federation Horticulture Council chair Jolyon Burnett said it was critically important as many fresh produce growers and wholesalers as possible supplying the supermarkets, either directly or indirectly, shared their stories.

"Individual anecdotes are powerful without doubt. Even better is number of people describing the same practice or behaviour which will allow this inquiry to establish a pattern and paint a more complete picture," Mr Burnett said.

"It is only with a clear picture that we'll get from this inquiry the right sort of recommendations that will make a difference to the lives and profitability of our industry for years to come.

"Growers are already coming forward, supplying industry representatives with compelling evidence of behaviour we think is unfair, unethical and often abusive. But we need more as there's strength in numbers."

The committee where requested will also make arrangements for individual growers to give evidence confidentially from their home or office by secure video link.

"We are aware the main reason stopping growers coming forward is the real fear of being identified and suffering commercial retribution that could ruin their business and livelihoods," Mr Burnett said.

"We've received assurances from the Committee that records of confidential conversations will only ever be shared with members of the Committee at their request, for a limited period of time and on paper that'll subsequently be destroyed.

"It's now or never. This Senate inquiry, together with the current review of the Food and Grocery Code and ACCC inquiry into supermarkets, plus public interest in the welfare of farmers and a government seemingly willing to take action, represents a genuinely once in a generation opportunity to make sensible reforms that will rebalance the relationship between supermarkets and their suppliers."