Beef sold in Coles from east, say WA farmers
AUSTRALIA - Supermarket chain Coles has been criticised by the State’s farmers for buying most of the beef it sells in its WA stores from interstate.
19 December 2006
1 minute read
Beef growers have queried why Coles buys and processes cattle in the Eastern States, incurring hefty freight charges, when WA cattle prices are cheaper.
The questions arise as Coles Group investigates alleged conflicts of interest and kickback allegations within its meat department involving a number of contracts with suppliers.
Farmer groups claim that while cheaper beef prices encourage several Eastern States processors to buy from WA, Coles has been processing beef in Victorian and Queensland abattoirs and sending it west.
Pastoralists and Graziers Association spokesman Tim D’Arcy said Coles had supported cattle producers in the past, through an arrangement with major beef processor E.G. Green and Sons.
Source: The West Australian
