Sour taste at CHHHS deal with Parmalat

TABLELANDS dairy farmers have been struck another blow with Dairy Farmers’ Malanda plant losing out on a major contract.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) has selected a tender from a major southern processor, Parmalat, with no local milk to be provided at hospitals and health services throughout the Far North.

Katter’s Australian Party Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth said he was angry and would discuss it with Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick today.

“CHHHS has ditched local farmers to sign up with Parmalat, based more than 1000km away,” he said.

“This is despite a ‘buy local’ campaign on the Atherton Tablelands to help save the annual $36.2 million industry,” he said. “This would be a sharp slap in the face for the 40 local producers who supply the Malanda factory.”

Millaa Millaa district dairy farmer and Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation state councillor James Geraghty said any loss of volume in sales would be a negative to Tablelands dairies.

“We don’t know yet the extent of the impact this decision will have, but I just don’t get it,” he said. “Parmalat’s closest plant to Cairns is 1000km away, while Malanda is only 77km. So much for government talk about food miles and greenhouse gases.”

CHHHS chief executive Clare Douglas said the decision was part of the service’s proper governance.

“The health service issues requests for tender for goods and services to ensure value for money,” Ms Douglas said. “Parmalat won the tender as it was able to deliver quality dairy products at a reduced price from our previous suppliers. This project ensures best value for money for the health service, while reducing wastage and delivering quality products.”