Wesfarmers says it is open to milk talks
TYSON CATTLE
03 May, 2012 02:00 AM
WESFARMERS says it will work towards an understanding with farmers to avoid a boycott of its products.
Following WAFarmers' recent centenary conference, a procedural motion was passed on to the WAFarmers executive where a boycott of Wesfarmers was called for.
The procedural motion stated - "That due to Coles' predatory pricing policy, WAFarmers encourages their members and the wider farming community in general, to boycott Coles supermarkets and all Wesfarmers subsidiaries, with particular emphasis on CSBP and WFI."
The boycott motion also comes after Farm Weekly reported a call in October, 2011 from the Red Meat Action Group to boycott Wesfarmers' products.
WAFarmers representatives met with Wesfarmers' representatives recently to discuss farmer concerns over the corporate giant's pricing.
WAFarmers president Dale Park said the first meeting with Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder was very positive.
"WAFarmers senior vice president Tony York and I sat down with Mr Goyder and had a very positive and productive discussion about Coles' pricing strategies and the effect it is having on the WA dairy industry," Mr Park said.
"WAFarmers will continue ongoing discussions with Wesfarmers over the coming weeks."
Mr Park said while the motion specifically mentioned Coles, the WAFarmers general section executive recognised the longer term need for commitment by all retailers to the sustainability of the WA dairy industry.
"WAFarmers wants to work with all food retailers to develop a supply model which ensures locally available product is their preferred source," he said.
"Pricing structures are sustainable and to develop a program which highlights to consumers the source of their product."
Wesfarmers corporate affairs spokesperson Alan Carpenter said it was a good opportunity for Mr Goyder to meet with WAFarmers representatives.
"Obviously the dairy farmers and dairy pricing is one of the issues which are significant to WAFarmers," Mr Carpenter said.
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