Farmer Power chief executive Garry Kerr urges government action at Senate dairy inquiry

Farmer Power chief executive Garry Kerr is in Federal Parliament this week, calling for the sector to receive more government assistance.

Farmer Power chief executive Garry Kerr is in Canberra this week for the Senate dairy inquiry.

FARMER Power has taken its call for dairy industry support to Canberra this week, as moves towards a fresh milk levy ramp up.

The group’s chief executive, Garry Kerr, addressed a Senate inquiry into the dairy sector head by WA senator Glenn Sterle, highlighting the static farmgate price this season.

“This is a question of leadership in the dairy industry — we need some of our dairy leaders to stand up and represent farmers,” he said.

“We went to Canberra this week to reiterate our call for a royal commission into the dairy industry. The Minister (David Littleproud) has expressed interest in this in the past, but there are more questions than need to be answered and openess is the way to go.”

Last week, Melbourne Business School international trade professor Gary Sampson backed calls by veteran businessman John Dahlsen for a 40c a litre levy on fresh milk.

A former World Trade Organisation director, Professor Sampson said a voluntary levy would not violate WTO rules, but one mandated by the Australian Government would provoke the international umpire.

“According to recent opinion polls, 82 per cent of the public are prepared to pay more for their drinking milk, particularly in the light of the comparative price of soft drinks and bottled water,” Prof Sampson said.

“Against this backdrop, my well-informed farming friend then asked, ‘would a voluntary levy paid by consumers be considered a subsidy and violate WTO rules, as some argue?’ The answer is no.”

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