Acting Australian Dairy Farmers president David Basham welcomed the inquiry — initiated last week by crossbench senators Jacqui Lambie and Nick Xenophon — but warned it should not double up on issues being looked at by other investigations.
It will be the fourth investigation into the sector since the April price crisis, and will examine milk contracts and Murray Goulburn’s behaviour.
ASIC and ACCC investigations into Murray Goulburn and Fonterra’s retrospective price cuts are under way, and an industry-wide ACCC inquiry is pending.
Mr Basham said he hoped the Senate would look at relief packages and support available as well as how to get confidence back in the industry.
“Benefits of the senate inquiry could be things that aren’t dealt with in the other inquiries,” he said.
Source: WeeklyTimes
Link: http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/dairy/australian-dairy-farmers-warns-on-senate-inquiry/news-story/9a9438a6d9e217a2952fbe6e28fb8612