Artisan food producers have called for clarity over an Australia Post moratorium on its decision to stop carrying perishable products.
Australian Post initially told producers it would no longer be able to carry food such as cheese and butter from June 30, but then announced a moratorium on that decision.
Australia Post said it would be working with Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson "to resolve cross-state regulatory issues as part of Australia Post's commitment to support producers shipping perishable goods across the country".
LardAss cultured butter producer, Monica Cavarsan, Ocean Grove said she was still waiting to see what was going to happen.
She said she was concerned that there may be a sudden change in policy.
"Every time I do declare what is in the box, I wonder when are they bringing the axe down and say 'we are rejecting this,'?" Ms Cavarsan said.
"I am honest with it too - it's not like I'm putting marbles, or something, as a description - I say there is butter in there.
"The ladies at the post office know what I am packing and sending, but no-one has said anything."
The Australian Speciality Cheese Association was in talks with Australia Post.
"It's a huge aspect, especially for producers like us to draw an income during lockdown," she said.
"It will be a big slice of our income, if they take that away from us."
She agreed that it appeared Australia Post's concerns were over food spoilage, because of delays in transit.
"It's one of those grey areas - this is a really grey area, probably 50 shades of grey," she said.
"I don't know how they are going to navigate their way around that."
She said she felt stopping the service was likely to be surreptitious.
"They will say cheese and butter is one of those areas that raises a red flag, whereas chocolate is probably okay."
Apostle Whey cheesemaker, Julian Benson, Cooriemungle, said customers had been ringing him, asking if they could still get cheese through the post.
"There has been no confirmation," Mr Benson said.
"We did have trouble with Express Post and I rang our local post office and they said it seemed to be okay, but that's about it."
He said he would like to see some certainty around delivery, as Apostle Whey did not have its product in shops all around Victoria.
"If people really like our product around Victoria and they can get it by post, that would be good," Mr Benson said.
Sudden lockdowns were not helping.
"There are so many businesses, buying in product, then have a lockdown and can't get rid of it, it's costing a hell of a lot of money," he said.
"They are backing away from making big purchases.
He said he believed there was "so much wine" going through the parcels system, cheese was being held up.
"It wasn't going overnight but taking four or five days - that's what put us out of the market," he said.
"But if these lockdowns continue, people will be drinking more and wanting more cheese too."
Andy Jackman runs Red Cow Organics, at Oldina, in north-west Tasmania.
"There is a pause on the decision, we can continue to send items in the mail, but I don't know what the timeframe (for resolving it) is," Ms Jackman said.
"Given the location of our company and ability to distribute our product across Australia, it has an impact if we can't have that supply chain available to us.
"I guess there are alternatives, but they are quite expensive, in terms of our profit and costing."
She said it was an arm of the business Red Cow was hoping to grow.
"It's been put aside, for now, but hopefully the right information about the safety of food is coming through and that food safety and security is critical for our customers, and for us," she said.
"We think we can work with Australia Post, to make sure it happens."
An Australia Post spokesperson said discussions between Australia Post and the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman regarding the carriage of perishable goods had been productive and ongoing.
"As part of this, targeted customer consultation is underway to engage small businesses," the spokesperson said.
"For our customers it remains business as usual and we will continue to offer the carriage of perishable foods across our delivery network."
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
