Stand up, consumers

Editorial & Letters|Friday, Jun 11 2010 | Free article|Subscribe for full access

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TEXT THE EDITOR3

AS THE Australian government promotes free trade around the world at all costs, where does that leave the Australian consumer now and into the future?

Two-thirds of Australia's farm production is exported, chasing a higher market value, while we import fresh and processed food to fill the shortfall.
Currently we import:
q 30 per cent of our consumption of processed fruit and vegetables.
q 20.4 per cent of our consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.
q 1.8 per cent of our consumption of meat.
q 50 per cent of our consumption of seafood.
Is it right to have two dominant players in the market place, dictating ridiculously low prices to local growers yet demanding a premium price from the consumer?
Australian farmers are expected to meet such high food production standards under the banner of clean and green, but can we say the same of the imported food?
Maybe its time we consumers demand the quality of food we are paying for and not be expected to line the pockets of shareholders of the big two supermarkets.
ANDREW KASSEBAUM
Winkie