Supermarkets Reap Super Profits Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis, NFF Horticulture Council Calls for Tighter Controls

By Robert Heyward

The NFF Horticulture Council has renewed its call for stricter government oversight of supermarket trading practices as major listed companies report their annual profits. Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, supermarkets are continuing to prioritise profit growth over fair compensation for suppliers, according to the Council.

Council Chair Jolyon Burnett highlighted the stark contrast between the message’s supermarkets send to their investors versus those communicated to their suppliers. “When pitching their annual results to investors, supermarkets will make a show of their year-on-year growth and expanding profits, but will at the same time tell suppliers they can’t afford to pay them anymore,” Mr. Burnett stated.

Burnett emphasised the growing disparity, noting that some growers have reported stagnant prices for as long as a decade, despite the increasing profits reported by supermarkets. “It amounts to corporate gaslighting at a grand scale and shows total disrespect to longstanding and long-suffering suppliers, who are not getting a fair share of the supermarket success,” he said.

In response, the Council has formally written to the Treasurer, advocating for tighter controls on supermarket trading practices, particularly in how they negotiate prices and manage communication with suppliers regarding order volumes.

Burnett underscored the urgent need for government action, arguing that without intervention, supermarkets will continue to prioritise shareholder profits at the expense of both suppliers and consumers. “There is absolutely public benefit from having both affordable food and a sustainable farming sector, which the market is now most obviously failing to deliver,” he said. “The case for greater government intervention has never been as clear.”

The Council’s stance reflects growing concern within the agricultural sector that without stronger regulatory measures, the imbalance between supermarket profitability and the financial sustainability of suppliers will continue to widen, further exacerbating challenges faced by growers and farmers amid a broader economic crisis.

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Rural Road Safety Month: NHVR Urges Extra Caution on Rural Roads

Drivers across Australia are being urged to exercise increased caution on rural roads as part of Rural Road Safety Month, a campaign spearheaded by the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF). This initiative, running throughout September, comes as alarming new statistics highlight the heightened risk of fatal crashes outside urban areas.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has joined the call, emphasising the need for all drivers to stay vigilant and heed safety warnings, particularly in rural and regional areas where the road toll remains disproportionately high. In 2023 alone, 811 lives were lost on rural and regional roads, accounting for about two-thirds of the national road toll, despite these areas being far less populated than urban centres.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM expressed deep concern over the continued high number of fatalities on Australian roads, particularly those involving heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses.

“Losing a friend, family member, or loved one in a road accident is a tragedy, and the impact is especially devastating in rural and regional communities,” Mr. Petroccitto said. “Our experience at the NHVR shows that rural and regional roads present unique challenges and risks, including higher speed limits, unsealed roads, and environmental hazards like animals or visual obstructions.”

Mr. Petroccitto urged all road users to take extra precautions during Rural Road Safety Month, including ensuring they are well-rested and alert before getting behind the wheel. He highlighted the dangers associated with heavy vehicles, which have larger blind spots and require longer distances to slow down.

“Of the 92 lives lost in collisions involving heavy vehicles from January to July this year, 60 were in regional, rural, or remote areas,” Mr. Petroccitto noted. “Trucks are essential to keeping Australia moving, and it’s crucial that light vehicle drivers understand how to safely share the road with them, particularly on rural highways where they are more likely to encounter large trucks.”

He advised drivers to always maintain a safe following distance, overtake only when it is safe, and give heavy vehicles extra space. “Collisions involving heavy vehicles are much more likely to result in devastating outcomes due to their size and weight,” he said. “At the NHVR, we are committed to reducing the road toll and ensuring that all motorists, including our nation’s truckies, get home safely.”

For more information on Rural Road Safety Month and how to stay safe on rural roads, visit the Australian Road Safety Foundation’s website.

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NFF Celebrates Fiona Simson’s Role on New Nature Repair Committee

By Jeff Gibbs

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is proud to announce the appointment of Fiona Simson, its immediate past President, to the newly established statutory Nature Repair Committee. This committee plays a crucial role in advising the Minister for the Environment and Water on the development of a new natural capital market designed to enable farmers to invest more in improving biodiversity.

NFF President David Jochinke expressed his support for Simson’s appointment, highlighting her respected position within Australian agriculture and her deep understanding of the environmental stewardship already being undertaken by farmers across the country.

“Fiona is a highly respected voice in Australian agriculture and one who understands the role farmers are already playing in caring for the environment,” Jochinke said. “As stewards of more than half of Australia’s landmass, farmers already work hard to look after the land at their own cost. This includes pest and weed management, revegetation, and improving soils. It’s important this new market will unlock opportunities for farmers to be rewarded for the work they are already doing and incentivise them to invest further.”

The NFF also congratulated the committee’s chair, Stephen McCutcheon, and members Brendan Foran, Tyronne Garstone, Siobhan Toohill, and Dr. James Fitzsimons, all of whom will contribute to the success of the Nature Repair scheme.

The Nature Repair Scheme: A New Market for Biodiversity

The Nature Repair scheme, a Federal Government initiative, aims to enhance biodiversity by establishing a marketplace where farmers, First Nations people, and organizations can trade biodiversity certificates. These certificates, generated by activities that improve biodiversity, can be sold to create additional income streams, encouraging further investment in environmental stewardship.

“There is a lot of work to do to bring this market to life,” Jochinke added. “The NFF is actively involved in its development and continues to advocate for a viable, transparent market that maximises returns to farmers. Nature repair is a new global concept and a solution to funnel global capital, but it has to work for landholders.”

The NFF’s involvement in the Nature Repair scheme underscores its commitment to supporting farmers as they contribute to the preservation and enhancement of Australia’s natural environment.

For more information about the Nature Repair Market, please visit the NFF’s website.

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