Lianne Dalziel
Commerce Spokesperson

17 August 2011

Public input important part of milk probe

Consumers wanting their say on the cost of milk are being urged to do it sooner rather than later given the urgency around the time the select committee has to carry out the price probe, Labour’s Commerce spokesperson and the committee’s chair Lianne Dalziel says.

“The closing date for submissions is September 13. That’s just four weeks away,” she said.

The committee, which agreed the inquiry’s terms of references yesterday, will look at milk prices from the farm gate to the supermarket, consider whether the domestic market is fair and competitive, and examine the impact of international prices, and the regulatory framework.

“We have a very short window before the House rises and would like to make recommendations before the election, so are determined to make the most of that time to get as much information as possible out into the public arena,” Lianne Dalziel said.

“I am a little concerned, however, that the government has ‘kicked for touch’ in the hope the issue will go away.”

“The price of milk is a barometer for the cost of living, and we know people are hurting. A Consumer NZ survey shows nine out of 10 Kiwis believe they are paying too much for their milk. The focus of this inquiry is to address that openly and with vigour,” Lianne Dalziel said.

ENDS

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