How and where do you believe it all began?
‘It began about four to five years ago when free trade became available. More fruit from overseas was being imported, and the Australian dollar had slowly become too high, which has made it extremely difficult for growers to export fruit overseas. The labour overseas is much cheaper than in Australia so supermarkets and other major retailers have decided to import to save expenses. For example supermarkets can have an Australian product, such as a tin of canned fruit, selling for four dollars, but right next to it they may have a can from South Africa selling for two dollars and fifty cents, so it is inevitable that the consumer will buy the cheaper option.’
How do you believe these unfortunate events could have been prevented?
‘Well, the government could have helped the Australian growers by lifting exporting tariffs, and reducing the number of restrictions against Australian growers sending fruit overseas. Also, SPC Ardmona has been has been poorly managed over the last seven or eight years, with a lot of fruit being thrown away after being processed. But I believe the main reason for everything happening is when Coca-Cola Limited took over SPC and closed down Ardmona, so there was only one canary, and all competition was eliminated.’
Can the Goulburn Valley orcharding community be salvaged?
‘Yes it can, but it would probably take three to five years for things to change. If orchardists are strong enough and determined enough to stay in the fruit industry, the wait many pay off. As time goes on more orchardist are pulling out their trees and selling of their land, meaning there will be less fruit, so selling would be much easier. Hopefully soon the Australian dollar comes down, so we can start exporting more. But there is no guarantee. Hopefully SPC Ardmona will become viable again to take a lot more fruit for those who are still around.’
Have politicians promised SPC Ardmona clients protection of their wellbeing and future?
‘No. Nothing. Our local member Sharman Stone has approached the government for assistance to growers that wish to pull trees out. She has asked for financial support in bulldozing trees, and also to lift tariff restrictions. But nothing has been done, as of yet.’
How did you react when you found out that the Government was putting up over 70 million dollars to Ford in order to keep the plants funning up until 2016 and to assist the Ford employees as they become unemployed?
‘Disappointment mostly. It makes me wonder what makes them more important than us rural fruit growers. The fruit industry is a big part of the Goulbourn Valley; it brings a lot of work into the area, with thousands of backpackers coming from overseas to work on the orchards, which also brings quite a bit of money into the community. If the fruit industry isn’t saved it will have a huge effect on a lot of people who rely on orchardist to bring money in to the community. It’s ultimately a snowball effect, which could possibly destroy the Goulbourn Valley if SPC Ardmona were to close down. It’s definitely worth fighting for.’