In North Queensland, Dale Williams, a local farmer, has voiced concerns about the intimidation tactics employed by major supermarkets, which have deterred many in the agricultural sector from speaking against them. Williams highlighted the fear of reprisals, such as being excluded from supply chains, for criticizing supermarket practices. This comes in the backdrop of a Four Corners report revealing how such tactics disadvantage both suppliers and consumers.
With the initiation of a parliamentary committee on supermarket prices in Hobart, alongside other inquiries, there's a push for farmers to share their experiences. However, Williams pointed out the lack of legal safeguards for supply agreements, which amplifies the fear of retaliation among growers. He stressed the importance of these businesses for farmers' livelihoods, making it crucial to address these issues without risking their sales.
Meanwhile, the Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers (QFVG) initiated a campaign to shed light on the power imbalances faced by growers. Despite the support for the cause, only a handful of members were willing to participate publicly due to fears of contract termination. Rachel Chambers, QFVG's chief executive, mentioned the difficulty in gathering tangible evidence to expose the extent of the issues within these agreements, some of which she claims have legality concerns.
Williams advocates for a system where suppliers can raise concerns without the threat of agreement termination, likening it to employment laws that protect employees from dismissal for making complaints. This issue underscores the need for a re-evaluation of the mediation processes under the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, as recommended by a Treasury review.
Source: abc.net.au