Potato price protest sees tractors take over town

Hundreds of potato producers rallied at Deloraine today in protest against Simplot’s price offer to spud growers.

Prior to a grower's meeting at the Meander Valley town, a procession of tractors - many of which had drivers who had travelled for hours on public roads to get there – made their way through the streets adorned with messages such as “don’t fry our farmers” and “cut imports, not farmers”.

Simplot Potato Growers Committee chairman Leigh Elphinstone said he expected around 20 tractors for the rally but estimated that there was “double, probably triple” the amount.

“We’re in a very difficult position at the moment with our food processor,” Mr Elphinstone said.

“They’re trying to take two cents a kilo away from us – we really need a two cents a kilo rise and they’re just not listening.”

TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said that producers were feeling frustrated and angry.

“For growers to drive tractors from the far North East and far North West here to Deloraine today, and to show up in numbers like they have, really represents the concern that they have and the frustration that they’re feeling around processors and supermarkets not listening when it comes to price negotiations.”

Mr Calman said that Simplot had submitted a revised offer this morning, which farmers would discuss at the growers' meeting.

“Negotiations have been ongoing for some months now, and until last week, it was very much a take it or leave it mentality.

“It was a $30 per tonne reduction – that’s simply not good enough in a land where prices are going up and farmers are having to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into equipment to produce those crops in a risky environment.”

Mr Elphinstone said the current offer would mean losses for some farmers of more than $100,000.