Apple price criticised

Press, 2 March 1982, Page 3

Apple price criticised

PA Nelson The nil order on an application for an increased average payout to apple and pear growers has been criticised by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) and growers. Mr Rowling has written to the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Maclntyre) describing the prices authority’s decision as “ill-judged” and asking for an immediate reap-

praisal of the order. The Nelson director of the Fruitgrowers' Federation, Mr Paul Heywood, said he was stunned by the announcement. He found it difficult to understand. “Last year fruitgrowers got the full 10 per cent increase allowed under the legislation,” said Mr Rowling, “but that fell far short of the 25 per cent increase in costs they experienced in the same year.

“Yet orchardists are one of the few sections of our primary producers who have stood on their own feet right from the time the apple and pear marketing board was established. The price would be reviewed in November and growers would seek the maximum allowable increase of 10 per cent, but even that was far below the reality of inflation and the soaring cost structure, Mr Heywood said.