AU: Potato growers secure 2 years for deregulation

Minister for Agriculture and Food Ken Baston has officially confirmed that regulation will remain in…

Minister for Agriculture and Food Ken Baston has officially confirmed that regulation will remain in place until 2017, after meeting with a group of growers last week.

Mr Baston said the current industry regulation would remain in place until the end of the term of government. He said the system would remain unless industry came to the State Government earlier seeking change.

Mr Baston also foreshadowed that the system would be abolished post-2017.

"Both major parties have made it clear that it is time for the industry to stand on its own feet and compete in the free market."

Manjimup potato farmer Bob Pessotto arranged the June 4 meeting with Mr Baston and four young farmers because he said growers had become increasingly panicked and confused about their future.

Mr Pessotto said he wanted to get a firm answer about how long regulation would remain for younger growers deciding their future.

Mr Pessotto said he was intent on getting a clear deadline from the government on deregulation so farmers had enough time to consider the transition out of a regulatory system.