How dare anyone raise a finger in defence of the poor old consumer in the current debate on a ten cent increase in the price of milk by Woolworths.
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Based on the generous assumption that the average household consumes ten litres per week, this increase if applied by every retailer and applied to every grade or brand of milk would equate to $1 per week. One dollar doesn't even purchase one tailor made cigarette. Even a 50 cent increase per litre for the above weekly consumption will not even purchase one schooner of beer, and would still only pay for four cigarettes.
Fifty cents would help sustain our struggling dairy industry, would cost retailers nothing as consumption would not be affected. In far too many cases these days it's the consumer before the farmer, a bit like putting the cart before the horse.
If we don't put the horse back in his or her rightful position, the dairy industry will just be the forerunner of many primary industries slipping down the gurgler.
Many would say it's not possible that this huge country of only 25 million couldn't feed itself. But the sad reality is our farmers are growing old and rapidly declining. Their kids are opting out for a softer life and easy money. That 35-hour week with the trimmings. Already this country is importing huge quantities of what we eat. Just read the labels on so many products on the shelves of our major supermarkets.
Remember those sugar snap peas in that supermarket at $29/kg, produce of China.
Darcey Browning
Thora