Industry Potato Area served Western Australia | Founded 1946 Key people Peter Evans - CEO | |
Type Statutory body
of the WA Government Headquarters Perth, Western Australia | ||
Potato Marketing Corporation of Western Australia (PMC) is a statutory corporation created by the government of Western Australia's Marketing of Potatoes Act 1946. It is charged with managing the supply of fresh table potatoes in Western Australia. The statutory corporation operates to ensure licensed growers supply potatoes all year round to the WA consumer market. The corporation is self-funded by revenue from licence fees and does not receive financial support from the state government. The agency dictates the varieties and volume in the WA potato market.
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History
The statutory marketing body was created in 1946. The PMC has 78 licensed growers in its books as of 2014. They output 50 000 tonnes of potatoes to the market. In 2004, there were 151 growers. Further consolidation of growers is expected as the market changes due to technology and market pressures. Over the years the PMC has been involved with dispute with some growers such as Spud Shed owner Tony Galati who are calling for the regulatory agency to be scrapped and allow free competition. The WA state government has confirmed it will abolish the agency within two years.
The President of the Potato Growers Association of WA, Dean Ryan has been opposed to scrapping the agency as it will put growers out of business. This comes from the Harper Competition Policy Review and also the Economic Regulation Authority of WA which points to this as a case study of regulation restricting competition. Potato Growers Association of WA will offer new website to dispel propaganda from those in favour of scrapping the board.
In other states and around the world, potato marketing boards were abolished. WA remains the only state in the country that has a potato marketing board.
Former Marketing boards and the date of disestablishment.
Varieties
The PMC has approved the following varieties of potatoes that growers can grow.