Tasmanian potato growers 'insulted' by McCain offer

Several Tasmanian potato growers whose contracts were cancelled by McCain last year have rejected new contract offers from the company.

Grower Brett Neil says he was contacted and asked to grow again, but told the company prices are simply too low.

He said with a AU$30 per tonne drop last year and another one expected this year, the offer was insulting.

"Our deductions were as good as anyone's, and yet, we were basically told 'No, we don't want you any more',"Mr Neil said.

"And then to ring up just because farmers have said they're not going to grow for these prices, to ring back and think someone who grew before is just going to run back and say 'Yeah, yeah, I'll grow your spuds', I thought it was a bloody insult."

In a statement, McCain says growers have options whether to grow potatoes for McCain or choose other crops.

The company says it's important for grower committees across Australia to tackle reforms to reduce inefficiencies in the system.

Source: ABC Rural