Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

WA's socialist potatoes

By David Leyonhjelm - posted Thursday, 5 April 2012


 

Potatoes in WA are regulated in a manner reminiscent of the Soviet Union's command economy. And it's Labor that wants to deregulate.

A decade after the Soviet Union collapsed, confirming the moral and economic failure of socialism, Australian agriculture continues to harbour vestiges of it. Ironically it is the party of Robert Menzies, who in 1951 tried to ban the Communist Party, that persists in defending it.

Advertisement

Under the WA Marketing of Potatoes Act, growing potatoes in WA for sale to consumers is prohibited except by registered growers in accordance with conditions determined by the Potato Marketing Corporation (PMC).

Those conditions are Orwellian, if not Stalinist. Potato growers must be registered and their farms licensed. They require a permit to grow an approved quantity of potatoes of approved varieties, must complete a 'planting declaration' form within seven days of completing planting, submit a 'Notice of Intention to Harvest' at least seven days prior to beginning harvest, and submit a 'Notice of Harvest and Delivery' within seven days of completing that harvest.

Merchants must also submit 'Notices of Deliveries Received', 'Consignment Advices' (containing detailed information of varieties received, intended destinations, grower details and so on) and various other forms and returns.

All potatoes grown in WA, other than those for processing or export, must be sold to the PMC which sells them at a higher price. The difference is what funds the PMC bureaucracy ($2.2 million in 2010/11, or $42.74 per tonne of potatoes). Growers deliver the potatoes to buyers, but it is an offence to buy potatoes unless they are accompanied by the prescribed paperwork.

And in true Soviet style, PMC inspectors have the power to stop and search a vehicle if it is suspected to be carrying more than 50 kg of potatoes. The inspector can demand the name and address of the driver plus any paperwork related to the journey, and impound the documentation plus any potatoes and associated packaging. Inspectors also have the power to search premises, confiscate equipment and crops and prosecute farmers. It is an offence to delay, hinder or obstruct them.

If this all sounds onerous to potato growers, think again. Just as in the Soviet Union there were insiders and elites who benefitted handsomely, the same applies here. The effect is to protect existing potato growers from competition and price fluctuations. Subject to seasonal conditions, growing spuds is a good little earner, and growers are in no hurry to see the system changed.

Advertisement

The losers are other farmers and consumers. A farmer who wants to switch from pumpkins to potatoes, for example, cannot do so except by buying the licence of an existing grower, with the approval of the PMC. No matter how competent or efficient he or she might be compared to existing growers, and whether the farm is more suited to potato growing or they have found themselves an attractive market, it's not on.

Consumers pay for this socialist nirvana in the form of higher prices and reduced choice. Apparently there are 66 varieties of commercially grown potatoes around Australia, yet the PMC only permits 13 varieties to be grown in WA. It argues that these satisfy the bulk of the market, but bureaucrats would say that. Innovation and niche markets, including growing the other 53 varieties, are not amendable to central planning.

As for the price, the PMC argues that Perth consumers paid less for potatoes in 2010 than they did in Sydney. That is almost certainly complete nonsense given how much it costs to operate. But if were true, it would indicate the organisation was not even of benefit to existing growers.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. All

This article first appeared in Farmonline.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

26 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

David Leyonhjelm is a former Senator for the Liberal Democrats.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by David Leyonhjelm

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of David Leyonhjelm
Article Tools
Comment 26 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy