Maori Party welcomes support of other parties for milk price inquiry - Te Ururoa Flavell

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell has welcomed the commitment that Government and Opposition parties have given towards establishing a parliamentary select committee inquiry into the price of milk.

“Over three months ago I called for a “comprehensive inquiry into not only retail prices, but also the trading among farmers proposal” said Mr Flavell (30 March 2011).

“Our concern was prompted then as it is now by constituents struggling to meet the rising costs of basic foods".

“The Maori Party has always championed a focus on promoting healthy foods. The milk price inquiry is a logical extension of the work we have also pioneered on removing GST from healthy foods - another policy we are thrilled to see being picked up by other parties”.

“Our preference had always been that the Commerce Commission would establish a price control inquiry as a logical component of their watchdog role”.

“We believe it is not just about the retail end of the chain. A comprehensive inquiry should also look at the supply of raw milk to milk product processors; and the manufacture and supply of milk products within the scope of the review”.

“It’s one thing to investigate the price of milk but we also need to consider how anti-competitive behaviour will not be tolerated.

"As a case in point, we would hope that the select committee will call for a wide range of views from all parts of the dairy sector, including New Zealand's first majority Maori-owned dairy company, Miraka.

We are also of the view that in order to achieve enhanced milk price regulation it is important to have an independent oversight role with representatives from the Commerce and Securities Commissions, and MAF”.