Western Australia’s potato wars continue

Western Australia’s potato police have categorically denied recommending the immediate deregulation of the state’s spud industry. A report in The West Australian newspaper on Wednesday claimed the Potato Marketing Corporation had given up on its fight to maintain a regulated WA potato industry, which has revolved around its stoush with maverick spud grower Tony Galati. In a statement, the regulator said the report was incorrect and it had made no recommendations to Agriculture Minister Ken Baston. “The PMC will not be commenting any further on this matter,” it said. While the state government has flagged repealing the near 70-year-old potato rules after the 2017 election, Mr Galati – who has fought fiercely for deregulation for the past two decades – claims it may happen by Christmas. More