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Spud growers back regulator's stance

Jindong potato farmers Hamish Carter, Daniel Taylor, Tom Payne, Chris Payne, Vasse MLA Libby Mettam and Potato Growers Association vice-president Vaughan Carter. Picture: Gordon Becker

A group of local potato growers have voiced support for the Potato Marketing Corporation, arguing deregulation of the industry would put small producers out of business.

Growers from the Busselton-Marybrook zone, which includes the Margaret River region, told the Times locals relied on the long-standing regulator to stop larger producers dominating the market.

Potato Growers Association vice-president Vaughan Carter said local growers would lose their jobs if the potato market was deregulated.

"If it does get deregulated, there are small families that would have to give up the game," he said. "The big players take over."

Mr Carter said WA's 80 potato growers would be "reduced to a dozen".

He said the Potato Marketing Corporation was funded by a levy on growers and kept prices stable.

"The growers pay a levy that goes toward the administration and running costs," he said.

Mr Carter said price fluctuations in the WA potato market were "slight" because of regulations.

"It keeps the price at a very reasonable amount," he said.

"Potatoes produced in WA are some of the cheapest."

Mr Carter said local growers "don't seek to make a whole lot of money out of price gouging".

He said potato varieties were limited because of choices by major retailers rather than market regulations.

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam said the market for locally grown potatoes was strong.

"I have met with the local growers several times and have witnessed many young farmers coming through and investing in research in this sector, in an effort to reduce water and fertiliser usage," she said.

"The levy fees support local growers and these funds support research, marketing and co-ordination of the industry as a whole."

The PMC is at the centre of a stoush between the State Government and vegetable tycoon Tony Galati in recent months as the Spud Shed owner seeks to remove quotas on potato crops.

The PMC launched Supreme Court action last week against Mr Galati and accused him of overplanting.