Farmers at the first Victorian hearing of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) dairy inquiry said they were there to listen, on how issues facing the industry could be resolved.
Fiona Plant, Riverslea, Gippsland, said she milked 900 cows on two farms, with husband Linden. Ms Plant, who is owed money by failed milk broker National Dairy Products (NDP) said she thought meeting was worthwhile.
“I came specifically to raise issues about payment being made six to eight weeks after milk was delivered, – in our situation, we didn’t get paid at all,” Ms Plant said. “I think we want the processors held accountable, for what they have done.
“They have brought the industry to its knees and we want real outcomes from this, not just another report, that gathers dust. We want it to actually mean something.
“There have been too many livelihoods affected, or ruined, because of this issue.”