ACT Agriculture Spokesman Owen Jennings today said he wouldn't allow farmer submissions on the Dairy Industry Reform to be rushed through Select Committee.

"Farmers can be assured of adequate time for discussion and participation in the changes to the Dairy Industry.

"I hold the balance of power on the Select Committee set up to consider this Bill and ACT will not allow the curtailment of debate or undue speed in these vital changes.

"As a dairy farmer and a former farmer director of a co-operative dairy company I am well aware of concerns, questions and the difficult timing of this Bill. However, it is imperative that we all get this right and move into what can be a more exiting phase with better profits and new opportunities.

"Farmers will need to weigh up the costs of delaying the establishment of the new corporation against adequate time to discuss the proposal. Farmers as businessmen understand that uncertainty in such a large business caused by delay will impact adversely on their pay-out. Each day the new business is delayed is another day of waiting for gains identified by the studies done on this proposal.

"I am confident farmers can manage this decision making process to their benefit. There are huge financial gains for dairy farmers and rural communities as out lined in the industry studies. There are even greater gains in the market place in moving away from commodities. Only new equity capital can realise these gains," said Owen Jennings.

ENDS

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