West Australian potato farmers demand deregulation

Potato growers say the West Australian industry has “collapsed” amid speculation over the timeline for deregulation. A group of about 85 potato growers from Manjimup, Pemberton, Busselton and Myalup gathered for a meeting in Manjimup on February 26 to discuss the end of industry regulation and held a question and answer session with Member for Warren Blackwood and Minister for Regional Development Terry Redman. Currently the industry is regulated by the Potato Marketing Corporation (PMC), a statutory authority charged with managing the supply of fresh potatoes in the state. Potato Growers’ Association of Western Australia president Danny Omodei said most farmers did not want to end deregulation. More