It said that the Potato Growers Association's (PGA’s) comments come in the wake of the State Government's announcement that the industry will be deregulated from July, with the Potato Marketing Corporation (PMC) abolished by the end of the year.

The move to deregulate comes after sustained pressure from some quarters to abolish the PMC, with Premier Colin Barnett among those saying it should have gone years ago. "We're looking to open up consumer choice and competition in the potato growing area," Agriculture Minister, Dean Nalder, said.

While PGA executive officer, Simon Moltoni, said views were mixed among growers about the merits of deregulation, he said he was deeply disappointed with how the industry had been informed. "Instead of having a smooth, well-managed adjustment into deregulation we have basically had a disaster which has been ongoing. It's left a bad taste in the mouth of growers, the way it has been handled since the Premier made his statement a year ago.

"We would have felt that a more formal briefing from the Minister to answer some of these questions would have been appropriate."

However, Moltoni said it was a relief to finally get an answer on when deregulation would occur and growers would now be able to make informed choices about their futures.

Busselton potato grower, Keith Taylor, thought that the $14 million support package was "pathetic". "We have been treated appallingly with all sides of politics, with possibly the exception of the National Party, for quite a long period of time and I am really really angry," he told 720 ABC Perth. "The Potato Marketing Corporation, all it does is give us a fair go."

Fellow potato grower, Daniel Omodei, said the deregulation will put more power in the hands of bigger operators and he expects a lot of small farmers to leave the industry as a result. "There's no question about that, I believe maybe up to 50 or 60 per cent of growers will leave the industry within the next 12 to 24 months. I don't believe that as growers we are just going to readily accept this result.

"Whilst one major grower will see if as a victory, many growers see it as the demise of their business."

Source: Jacob Kagi, abc.net