Dairy Farmers land NSW hospitals' milk supply contract over local Norco, draws angry reaction from farmers

Norco has been dumped as the supplier to 15 north coast health facilities from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie.
The contract has been awarded to Queensland’s Dairy Farmers which is owned by Japanese brewer Kirin Holdings.
Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes said Lismore hospital staff have reported some patients are refusing to drink the hospital milk unless it is Norco.
«The dairy industry has played a huge role in the north coast for many years and health workers want to supports their local economy,» Mr Hayes said.
The Health Department’s service provider HealthShare has been contacted for comment.
The State Government has defended the decision with Minister Brad Hazzard stating Norco «did not offer the most economical price for taxpayers».
The Minister noted Norco has dairy farms in Queensland and Norco did not state in its application milk would be solely from NSW.
Farmers gutted
Kempsey dairy farmer Sue McGinn who supplies Norco says it is «disappointing».
«It is disappointing to think that profit from the processing and sale of that milk has gone overseas,» Ms McGinn said.
She said dairying is a «tough gig» and it comes on the back of difficult conditions for farmers.
The dairy co-op’s general manager Andrew Burns confirmed it has been overlooked in favour of a competitor.
«It’s a local brand and we do take that to heart,» he said.
«We would have liked to have thought that a local supplier working within the local community would continue to supply local businesses.
«A decision out of Sydney to make that call is disappointing for us.»
Social media anger
The decision had a strong reaction on social media.
Julie: What a bad decision, Norco is our local producer and should be supported locally!
Robyn: A NSW government not supporting its own … can’t understand this.
Shane: For NSW government to do this to a local business struggling to overcome the duopoly of Coles and Woolworths, this is absolutely disgusting behaviour. The lowest tender is not always the best offer.
Carlos: I think it is not just the price of the milk the NSW Government should analyse for this decision, but all the chain of milk operation, from the local farmers, distributers, suppliers, workers to all local businesses and jobs involved with Norco.
The Nationals Member for Lismore Thomas George said he was disappointed with the decision and would lobby the Minister in a meeting on Tuesday.
However, Mr George said it would not affect the milk volume and the production from producers.
«I just want to re-assure everyone that it’s not going to have an effect on our dairy farmers,» he said.
«However, I will continue to argue with HealthShare and have discussions with Minister Hazzard to see if there’s any way they can provide Norco the opportunity to re-apply.»
By: Carla Mascarenhas, Gemma Sapwell, Meghna Bali
Source: ABC Mid North Coast
Link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-05-15/norco-no-longer-supplying-hospitals-in-favour-of-os-supplier/9758830