The peak body for NSW farmers hopes Woolworths’ decision to walk away from $1 per litre milk signals the end of the dairy wars.
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The NSW Farmers’ Association welcomed the supermarket’s announcement it would cease the sale of $1 a litre milk and return additional money directly to farmers.
NSW Farmers’ Dairy Committee Chair Erika Chesworth said Monday’s announcement was a “huge win”.
“We and all dairy farmers have been fighting for this result since $1 a litre milk was introduced in 2011,” she said.
In 2018, Milton dairy farmer Robert Miller placed signs near his farm which could be seen from the Princes Highway.
They read “farmers deserve better” and “Coles, profiteering during drought”.
The Stony Hill farmer also had corflutes made with a similar message for dairy farmers to put on their farm gates.
“I will send those to every farmer in the district to have on their front gates,” he warned.
“The message we are trying to send is that they can’t sell milk for $1 anymore.
“It is costing that much for us to produce it. We need a sustainable price rise, otherwise we aren’t going to be in business – there won’t be dairy farmers in NSW.”
Monday’s announcement followed similiar campaigns around Australia.
“Woolworths have shown real leadership with their decision to end the sale of $1 a litre milk,” Ms Chesworth said.
“This is a lesson for every other retailer in the country. Woolworths have done this the right way. They engaged with dairy farmers when we raised our concerns. This decision shows that they have listened and taken decisive action.
“It will make a substantial and real difference.”
MS Chesworth said the situation facing dairy farmers was critical.
“We have endured years of low profitability and our costs of production have skyrocketed due to the ongoing drought.
“Milk production has plummeted 11 per cent over the last 12 months in New South Wales.
“We have always said that this environment requires long-term thinking and permanent solutions. Woolworths has demonstrated this today.
“The next step is simple. The Australian public can show their support for farmers by shopping at Woolworths”
She called on Coles and Aldi to follow suit.