Multinational company Lactalis announces Echuca dairy factory will close resulting in 74 jobs lost
In short: French company Lactalis will close its Echuca dairy factory, potentially axing more than 70 jobs.
In short: French company Lactalis will close its Echuca dairy factory, potentially axing more than 70 jobs.
The company will invest about $85 million to upgrade its Bendigo site and some jobs could be transferred to this site.
What's next? The company is holding meetings with staff, but no firm date has been given for the site closure.
Dairy company Lactalis Australia has announced it will close its Echuca factory, on the border of Victoria and New South Wales in northern Victoria, axing up to 70 jobs this year.
But the company says it will expand its operations in the larger regional centre of Bendigo, potentially creating new jobs at this site.
Lactalis announced today it would invest $85 million over three years to expand its manufacturing and supply chain at other Victorian sites.
Chief executive officer Mal Carseldine said in a statement the French-owned multinational company decided to shutter Echuca after a "detailed review" of its yoghurt and desserts division.
"The plan sees us have one regional hub in Victoria that is fully utilised," he said.
He said the selection of the remaining milk factory took into account milk processing capability, operating costs, and site layouts.
"Based on this criteria, our Bendigo site was the most suitable option for us to invest in to meet our future needs in Victoria," Mr Carseldine said.
Mr Carseldine said the company was consulting with its Echuca team about the decision and how to best support workers through the transition.
He said the closure could impact approximately 74 employees and contractors.
"This is not a decision we take lightly," Mr Carseldine said.
"For some employees, there will be opportunities for redeployment to other Lactalis sites and those opportunities will form part of the discussions with individual employees."
He said the investment, much of it focused on Bendigo, would see more jobs, a new production line, and more yoghurt and custard capacity established at the Bendigo site.
Local MP devastated
Victorian Nationals leader and member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said he only found out about the closure on Tuesday night when the company emailed him about it following a meeting with Echuca staff.
He said he was devastated on behalf of the workers and the community.
"The questions I will have for the CEO when I talk to him next week will be 'Why did you not invest that money in Echuca? Why invest it in Bendigo?'" Mr Walsh said.
"They have had a strong presence in Echuca for a long time — a great place as I understand it [with] a very loyal workforce there.
"Why didn't they invest in Echuca?"
Seven dairy processing facilities have closed since August 2022 including Bega's Betta Milk factory in Burnie earlier this year and consolidating its sites in Launceston and Kings Meadow, and last year Saputo closed its Maffra factory.
Union shocked
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union organiser Chris Spindler said they had heard rumours that the site would be closed but said the announcement was still shocking.
Mr Spindler said the factory had been a prime site for the company with state-of-the-art machinery used on site.
"We don't fully understand the rationale behind [the closure decision]," he said.
"We prefer that they sat down and spoke to us at length before making that announcement to give us their concerns and to see what could be done in terms of saving the site."
Supplied by ABC Rural, Vic Country Hour, Callum Marshall & Warwick Long
10 April 2024
Supermarket review recommends huge fines, mandatory code for Woolies and Coles
Australia’s major supermarkets could face fines that run into the billions of dollars if they fail to comply with a revamped and mandatory code of conduct designed to protect farmers and families.
An interim review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, to be released on Monday, has the country’s big four supermarket retailers and wholesalers – Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and Metcash, which supplies IGA – squarely in its sights with a series of recommendations designed to deliver cheaper prices for consumers and fairer prices at the farm gate.
James Massola, The Sydney Morning Herald, 7 April 2024.
Find the full article here.
Dairy farmers applaud grocery code report
EastAUSmilk has praised the interim review of Australia’s Food and Grocery Code.
Joe Bradley, chair of the eastAUSmilk board, said the review adopted the two key proposals from eastAUSmilk — that the code must be mandatory, and that it must address the issue of supermarket retaliation against suppliers.
“Without these two changes, the Food and Grocery Code would have remained ineffective and ignored,” he said.
The interim report was released on Monday, April 8 and Dr Emerson’s final recommendations will be handed down by the end of June.
McPherson Media Group, Dairy News Australia, 10 April 2024.
Read the full article here.
12 floods in four years leave Shoalhaven farmers facing huge clean-up costs
Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley said flood damage was all too common in the region.
"Shoalhaven has just clicked over the dubious record of having its 13th natural disaster in the last four years, 12 of which has been floods and severe weather events," she said.
"Our farmers have been suffering because it inundates their silage and their fields.
"So many of our dairy farmers are again waking up to a sodden mess and wondering how they're going to get through another period of time feeding their cattle, particularly coming off the fact that the last flood they experienced was in November 2023."
Joshua Becker and Romy Gilbert, ABC Illawarra, 11 April 2024.
Read the full article here.
VFF members again try to oust president Emma Germano as AGM descends into shouting match
Turmoil at Victoria's peak farming organisation has gone from bad to worse after its annual general meeting descended into a shouting match.
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) members met in Melbourne yesterday for an annual general meeting when there was meant to be a vote on controversial changes to the organisation's constitution.
But those changes were withdrawn at the 11th hour after the board cited "significant irregularities" with the proxy voting process that had preceded the meeting.
VFF president Emma Germano had been criticised in the lead-up to the meeting for sending members proxy voting forms that would have given her their votes to cast in favour of the contentious constitutional changes.
Throughout the hours-long meeting, there were numerous attempts by members to put forward motions of no confidence in the board but they were rejected on constitutional grounds.
ABC News, 21st February 2024
Click here to read the full article.
Responses mixed as ag contributions cut in new biosecurity levy model
Agricultural commodity contributions to a proposed biosecurity protection levy have been cut by more than 30 percent under a new model announced by the Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt today.
In his opening statement at a Senate Estimates hearing Mr Watt said the biosecurity protection levy will contribute just six percent of the total biosecurity funding model, or about $50 million.
He said his department has undertaken extensive consultation over the back half of last year including stakeholder meetings, a survey of industry as well as inviting submissions to be made.
“We’ve listened to that feedback and as a result, today I’m announcing that we’re changing the way the biosecurity protection levy is calculated to make it fairer and more transparent,” he said.
Beef Central, 13th February 2024.
Click here to read the full story.
Australian Dairy Farmers
Tuesday 13 February 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
Update on unpaid VFF-UDV membership fees
Long-running talks between Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) and the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) have failed to resolve a dispute over the non-payment of $500,000 in member fees by VFF, ADF has announced today.
“ADF has been very patient over the past 12 months. ADF has endeavoured to pursue a resolution via mediation and negotiation, yet the parties are too far apart. It has become apparent that the only way to resolve this matter will likely be via court action,” says ADF President Ben Bennett.
“The ADF Board considers it has a fiduciary duty to the organisation, to ADF’s other State members, and to the dairy farmers themselves, to pursue an outstanding debt that has been unreasonably withheld.
“Farmers should be aware these are dairy farmers’ levies that have been collected by VFF on the grounds they would be remitted to ADF but have been unjustifiably withheld by VFF.
“Not only has VFF withheld these funds, but the dairy farmer members of VFF, the United Dairy Farmers of Victora (UDV) themselves have continually requested that VFF remit these funds to ADF.
“It is unfortunate to find ourselves in this position and while ADF remains open to finding an amicable resolution, ultimately we must resolve the matter once and for all and move on for the good of dairy farmers and the industry.”
Food & Grocery Code Under Review
Not for the first time, and in the face of many recommendations to make it mandatory, the Commonwealth government is reviewing the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.
Unlike the dairy code, the F&G code is not mandatory, and therefore can’t be enforced.
This code is important for dairy farmers, because if it was made mandatory, it could regulate the relationship between the big supermarkets and their suppliers, including milk processors.
The independent review, headed by former Minister in the Rudd and Gillard Governments Hon Dr Craig Emerson, is examining whether the F&G Code is effective and how it could better serve Australian families and farmers.
While the government wants to use this review to demonstrate they are addressing cost of living pressures, they have also said it is not about reducing farm gate prices. They have said the review will look at whether the Code is ensuring that both suppliers and consumers are getting a fair deal.
eastAUSmilk encourages members to read the discussion paper and make a submission, and will itself be making a submission.
If you make a submission, please let us know what you said. To have your say or become involved in the public consultation process, go Food and Grocery Code of Conduct Review 2023
Submissions close on 29 February 2024.
Implementing Australia’s National Biosecurity Strategy
Australia’s federal, state and territory agricultural ministers endorsed the 10-year National Biosecurity Strategy in August 2022, and more than a year and a half later, the Commonwealth government has released the plan for implementing the strategy.
That delay is more than 15% of the way into the strategy.
Now that we have an implementation plan, the National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Working Group are tasked to develop the National Action Plan. If we see it by 9 August this year, i.e. in less than 6 months, that will be 20% of the way – one fifth of the way – through the life of the strategy.
DAF advises that a draft of the National Action Plan, comprising only an initial set of actions, is planned to be released for consultation in early 2024. That’s now, or soon.
Perhaps Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has been distracted from pursuing this in a timely fashion by the universal rejection of their so-called biosecurity levy to be imposed on all producers from 1 July 2024.
This National Implementation Plan details:
· an implementation framework for the Strategy,
· criteria for choosing which actions to include in the Action Plan, and how to report progress,
· the structure and key bodies to oversee strategy implementation,
· communications and stakeholder engagement objectives, including stakeholder input, and
· expectations for monitoring and evaluation, and strategy reviews.
You can read more about the Strategy and Implementation Plan here Biosecurity
Brisbane region farmer Joe Bradley new eastAUSmilk president
After a lengthy journey in dairy advocacy, Queensland farmer Joe Bradley is the new eastAUSmilk president.
On the other side of the world in the Oval Office, one President Joe clinched the top job after a 50-year path to power.
In a rectangular milking pit north of Brisbane, another President Joe has reached the apex of dairy advocacy after a similarly lengthy journey.
Joe Bradley was recently appointed president of eastAUSmilk, a cross-state lobby group representing both NSW and Queensland dairy farmers.
Source: The Weekly Times, Alex Sinnott, 8 January 2024
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End of an era for Mullins Dairy
For 60 years the Mullins have been farming in the Goomburra Valley but this came to an end on Tuesday 12th December when the Mullins family held a dispersal sale of their Holstein Dairy herd.
Following the departure of Chris and Karenne Mullins, the farm had to be sold to dissolve the partnership with Chris’ brother Andrew.
330 cows and 4 bulls went under the hammer being sold south to Victoria, north to Alpha and Emerald and to dairies on the Downs, Fassifern Valley and Northern NSW.
Tom and his brother Mark bought the original farm, Glen Haven, in September 1963. Tom and Kaye bought the adjoining farm, Carinya, in 1988 and built the existing dairy there.
Dairy farming is in the Mullins family blood. Tom’s ancestors dairy farmed in Ireland and his Grandfather, John, was one of the first to supply milk to the Warwick Co-operative Dairy Factory when it opened.
Six generations of Kaye’s family have dairy farmed in the Goomburra Valley down to grandchildren, Isaac, Emily, Jack and Ned who enjoyed helping during school holidays.
Mim Rogers, Allora Advertiser, 20 December 2023.
To read the full article, click here.
Supermarket inquiry: Nick McKim calls for farmer submissions
Dairy farmers and other primary producers are being urged to have their say on dealing with supermarkets ahead of a senate inquiry into the retailers.
Dairy farmers and other primary producers are being urged to contribute their stories to a senate inquiry into supermarkets.
The senator who spearheaded the call for the inquiry, Nick McKim, told The Weekly Times that farmer feedback would give a pertinent perspective to the parliamentary probe.
For the first time, a select senate inquiry will scrutinise the impact of market concentration on food prices and the pattern of pricing strategies employed by the major supermarkets.
Senator McKim said the inquiry would also assess the rise in essential item prices, whether advertised discounts were genuine, and retailer profits compared to producers.
“We want to understand whether the supermarkets are price gouging their customers,” the Tasmanian Greens senator said.
“In particular we want to understand whether the concentration of market power of Coles and Woolies is allowing the them to put up prices by more than they should.
“We’re getting a lot of contact from farmers who sell to the supermarkets who say they’re not getting a fair price.
“The $1 a litre milk period was a good example of how farmers have been hurt by the lack of supermarket competition in Australia. We want to hear from dairy farmers about their experiences with supermarkets and get a clearer picture of how they feel the retail sector has impacted their businesses.”
Alex Sinnott, The Weekly Times, 18 December 2023.
This article requires a subscription to read, for more info click here.
If eastAUSmilk members wish to make a submission click Supermarket Prices
Dairy sector food security critical, says House of Representatives
A Parliamentary Committee has recommended that the dairy industry get special attention as Australia moves towards building our national food supply security.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture has completed and tabled their report on food security, called Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond.
Recommendation 4 says the Government should develop a specific strategy for reinvigorating the Australian dairy industry, one which lifts profitability and production while addressing the economic and environmental sustainability of the industry, and identifies the resources and pathways required to achieve this.
eastAUSmilk will immediately commence discussion with the Government about implementing this recommendation.
The main recommendation is to establish a National Food Plan, with clear objectives and measurable targets set out in regular updates and action plans.
The report is here.
The recommendations are here.
Cyclone Jasper affected Malanda dairy farms
Dairy farms at Malanda, Far North Queensland experienced some trying times during and after Cyclone Jasper hit their region on Wednesday night which left some farmers in a state of turmoil.
Electricity was cut on some dairy farms where no access to a generator was available, so cows couldn’t be milked, or milk was dumped. Generators were out of action so mechanics and electricians were called to fix the power supply, so it was all systems go in FNQ on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Bega factory was closed to farmers on Wednesday, so milk in the region was dumped which created a situation for the local dairies. Some milk vats were totally full to capacity so it was very important that the Bega factory didn’t suffer damage and could reopen as fast as possible.
It’s imperative that our dairy farms in FNQ have access to all facilities necessary to operate their dairy and look after their cow’s health and wellbeing.
Ben Bennett named President, David Beca is Independent Director
Victorian dairy farmer Ben Bennett was appointed President of Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) and Chair of the ADF Board, at a meeting of the ADF Board and National Council today.
Mr Bennett has been a director of the ADF Board for the past two years. He farms in south west Victoria and has 13 years’ experience in management roles in the meat industry in Australia, New Zealand and India.
“As President, I fully realise there are challenges ahead for the dairy industry,” Mr Bennett said.
Mr Bennett paid tribute to outgoing President Rick Gladigau, who withdrew his nomination. Mr Gladigau will remain on the Board as a Business Director after serving as President for the past two years.
“The past 12 months has been very busy for ADF with lots of change and big issues to tackle. Rick’s stoic leadership with Trade Minister Don Farrell around the free trade agreement with the European Union helped Australian dairy double down on its long-held position on the deal.”
Mr Bennett welcomed the new directors to the ADF Board, Queensland dairy farmer and past President of eastAUSmilk, Matt Trace, who was elected at the ADF AGM, and Independent Director David Beca, who was appointed to fill the casual vacancy.
“Matt Trace is well versed in the regulatory and economic challenges facing dairy farmers, and is passionate about reform in the industry,” said Mr Bennett.
“David Beca is no stranger to the dairy industry, having an extensive dairy consulting business focusing on profitability in Australia and New Zealand. David is exposed to the full plethora of dairy farming systems, from pasture only to total mixed ration.”
Mr Bennett thanked Independent Director Andreas Clark and Business Director Brian Tessman, who left the Board at the AGM, for their service, and Heath Cook for serving as acting President and Chair of the Board since the AGM.
The ADF Board now comprises:
Rick Gladigau, South Australia (Business Director)
Ben Bennett, Victoria (Chair, Business Director)
Matthew Trace, Queensland (Business Director)
Heath Cook, New South Wales (Business Director)
David Beca, Victoria (Independent Director)
Australian Dairy Farmers, 12 December 2023.
NSW Farmers urge State Government to allow access to virtual fencing
Virtual fencing technology is being used successfully in Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania, but current animal welfare legislation in NSW means it continues to be banned across the state.
The tide may be turning though as discussions and potential amendments to the legislation offer a hint of hope that farmers in NSW might be given access to the potentially life-changing technology.
Member for Orange, Philip Donato, presented a Notice of Motion to State Parliament in October, aiming to introduce the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Virtual Stock Fencing) Bill 2023. That legislation is scheduled to be heard early next year.
Revolutionising cattle management, virtual fencing uses collars to guide and supervise the herd. Each animal wears an electric collar, which sends sound and vibration signals to give them directional guidance. If the cue is ignored, the smart collar sends an electric pulse.
However, the Animal Justice Party has expressed firm resistance to the implementation of the technology. The RSPCA has also raised concerns regarding the potential impacts on animal wellbeing, particularly related to the employment of electric shocks. These shocks, the RSPCA claims, have been demonstrated to trigger immediate stress reactions in animals.
Mr Cooper says it’s important that decisions are based on reviewed scientific research, and not on emotion.
“There needs to be a focus on the benefits of the technology where it outweighs any unproven claims about animal welfare,” Mr Cooper says.
“I believe the benefits of virtual fencing quite obviously outweigh any argument against the tech. And it’s not just for farming, as there are examples of virtual fencing being used to protect wildlife.”
Libby-Jane Charleston, The Farmer, 11 December 2023.
Find the full article here.
Member Update: Changes to ADF Board
ADF defers President election
Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) held its annual meeting on Friday 1st December, to elect a President of the ADF Board and National Council.
Two nominees were received for existing Board members Ben Bennett and Rick Gladigau. Voting was conducted by an independent voting manager and returning officer from Vero Voting.
After presentations by both candidates, the voting resulted in a deadlocked position.
Given the seriousness with which ADF takes the appointment of its President and Chair, ADF Board and National Council have deferred voting until a later date (to be confirmed).
Deputy President Heath Cook is Acting President and Chair of ADF.
ADF calls for expressions of interest for Independent Director
Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) is calling for expressions of interest to fill a casual vacancy position on the Board of Independent Director.
ADF is seeking to appoint a highly experienced director who brings outstanding governance experience in the not-for-profit space; broad networks beyond the dairy industry and one who has networks and insight to government and the agricultural policy environment.
The appointment will be made by the Directors of the ADF Board, prior to Tuesday, 12 December 2023.
The position is being advertised here: https://www.governanceinstitute.com.au/membership/member-benefits/career-opportunities/current-paid-opportunities
Australia's shrinking dairy industry continues to wither as milk is trucked across the country
Dairy lovers looking to buy local should check the label next time they take the cap off a bottle of milk.
The exodus from the industry has resulted in dairy processors trucking fresh drinking milk thousands of kilometres across the country to meet increased demand.
"It is very sad when people that love dairy farming have to cease because of the business circumstance," said dairy farmer and president of advocacy group eastAUSmilk Matthew Trace.
"Even though they love it, and people still want the product."
Mr Trace says demand is not the issue, but supply is a problem in Queensland.
"We're basically at a 50 per cent deficit, so about half of what's consumed," Mr Trace said.
"There is a lot of milk not far over the border in New South Wales, but there's also a significant amount coming all the way up from Victoria."
Changing industry
Since 1980, Dairy Australia estimates the number of dairy farms declined from 21,989 to 4,163, but the average herd size grew from 93 to 305 cows.
The trend is towards fewer farms, larger herds, and increased production.
Supplementary feeding and improved breeding have more than doubled the average dairy cow's milk supply from 2,900 litres in 1980/'81 to 6,164 litres in 2022/'23.
Victoria leads Australia's milk production with 2,774 registered dairy farms, compared to 466 in New South Wales, 351 in Tasmania, 278 in Queensland, 182 in South Australia, and 112 in Western Australia.
Since 2006/'07 Dairy Australia estimates the number of registered dairy farms dropped by 62.13 per cent in Queensland, 49.57 per cent in New South Wales, 49.55 per cent in Western Australia, 48.67 per cent in Victoria, and 26.11 per cent in Tasmania.
In the same period, Australia's milk production only reduced from 9,583 million litres to 8,129 million litres.
Johanna Marie and Jennifer Nichols, ABC News, 4 December 2023.
To read the full article, click here.
Farmers raise competition concerns at industry roundtable
Farmer representatives from across Australia convened in Canberra yesterday for a roundtable hosted by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) with Assistant Minister for Competition Andrew Leigh.
The meeting came as the Federal Government continues its review of competition policy, and as supermarket pricing comes under increased scrutiny with a Senate inquiry set to commence in 2024.
NFF Chief Executive Tony Mahar said it was critical that the concerns of farmers were heard and acted on by the Albanese Government.
“Our members are increasingly frustrated by the imbalance in market power between small family farming businesses, and the large corporates that dominate Australia’s food supply chain,” Mr Mahar said.
“Yesterday’s roundtable was an opportunity for industry representatives to put their concerns directly to Government and hopefully get some momentum behind long overdue reform of Australia’s competition settings.
“What we heard is farmers are fed up with the lack of transparency, and worried about the continued consolidation of our supply chains.
“We’re encouraged by the Government’s response to these issues so far, but we know reform is hard, so we need to make sure we’re seeing meaningful changes to give farmers a fair go.”
Issues and policy suggestions highlighted at yesterday’s Roundtable include:
The need for significant competition reform to ensure a sustainable and profitable food production sector in Australia.
Market price transparency
A lack of market price transparency is having a significant impact across all agricultural industries, but particularly in horticulture.
Recent findings by AUSVEG suggest 34% of farmers surveyed nationally were considering exiting the industry within 12 months.
Farmers need to understand how the price they are paid is determined.
Specific issues include: a lack of transparency over factors which determine price, lack of contracts, lack of enforceability and accountability to contractual obligations, unfair trading practices and deceptive conduct.
The group discussed the utility of mandatory price disclosures and price reporting platforms.
Greater resourcing for the ACCC to ensure it has the capacity and powers to effectively monitor and proactively investigate highly concentrated markets with the potential to harm consumers and businesses.
Greenwashing and prescriptive reporting is already apparent in domestic supply chains. Farmers and industries are being proactive in this space, but with little to no reward.
The onus on farmers to provide additional data is significant – for example farmers in horticulture (banana growers) already report spending an additional $6,000-$8,000 on compliance reporting and audit processes with no increase in prices to reflect the additional cost.
Consumers and farmers alike need evidence to support the integrity, legitimacy, quality of prescriptive requirements imposed in the name of sustainability. This helps to ensure transparency, understanding and ultimately truth in labelling for consumers.
Industry Codes of Conduct are valuable but need teeth.
The Food and Grocery Code must be made mandatory to ensure wholesalers and retailers are held accountable and treat farmers fairly.
Fear of commercial retribution continues to be a significant barrier to farmers seeking justice and calling out unfair trading practices.
Agency Agreements - the roundtable discussed the growing use of agency agreements as a legal form of retail price maintenance and called for this to be outlawed
National Farmers Federation, 7 December 2023
To read this article online, click here.
Watchdog will ‘regret’ letting Coles buy milk processing plants, dairy industry representatives say
The ACCC approved the supermarket’s takeover of Saputo’s two dairy processing facilities after a ‘detailed review’ but farmers fear the move will reduce competition in the market.
Dairy industry representatives have said the Australian consumer watchdog will regret its decision to allow Coles to purchase two fresh milk processing facilities, making it the only supermarket in Australia to own and operate a milk processor.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it approved the takeover by Coles after months of “careful consideration” and “discussions” with farmers and industry bodies, and a “detailed review” of Saputo and Coles’ internal documents.
In April, Coles announced it had bought the Erskine Park factory in New South Wales and the Laverton plant in Victoria from dairy processor Saputo for $105m, subject to regulatory approval from the ACCC.
The president of advocacy body Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), Rick Gladigau, said he opposed the decision.
“We hope that in 10 years’ time we are not saying ‘we told you so’, like we have said about the impact of $1 litre milk that Coles started in 2011,” Gladigau said.
“We cannot see how this deal will result in anything but increasing Coles’ already substantial market power, reducing market competition and market transparency, and increasing risk to farmers.
“[It] will be a key turning point that the industry and ACCC will look back upon and regret.”
Before the takeover, Coles already acquired about 80% of milk processed at the facilities, buying raw milk from producers and processing it at the plants under an agreement with Saputo.
Farmers raised concerns that the acquisition would result in Saputo leaving the NSW fresh milk market entirely, reducing competition of raw milk buyers.
But the ACCC deputy chair, Mick Keogh, said Saputo’s financial records suggest the company has the “commercial incentive” to continue operations in NSW, and therefore takeover is “unlikely” to significantly lessen competition in the market.
Aston Brown, The Guardian, 4 December 2023.
To read the rest of this article, click here.