Another win over imported milk supplies for KAP Member Shane Knuth

KNUTH SOUR OVER IMPORTED MILK

A nearsighted state government switch to use imported milk at the Lotus Glen Prison has left KAP Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth fuming.

Mr Knuth said he was recently informed the corrections facility, located in Queensland’s dairy country is providing imported UHT Milk from NZ for consumption rather than fresh milk.

Incredibly in 2012 the Government had auctioned off a self-run dairy belonging to the facility which provided over 1000 L of fresh milk a day.

The dairy was also used by the corrections centre as a training facility for the agricultural industry.

“Just three years ago Lotus Glen had the ability to produce its own milk, now the government can’t even source locally produced, branded Dairy Farmers milk,” Mr Knuth said.

“If our own government won’t invest in Queensland how can we expect business and consumers to? ”

Since the imports have been confirmed Mr Knuth’s office has been in contact with the Premier and the Agriculture Minister, waiting on a response.

“ My electorate is in one the best milk producing areas of Queensland, this is lunacy,” Mr Knuth said.

“Buying in UHT milk from overseas in the name of cost cutting will hurt our regions in the long run.

“Rest assured that I will bash on the doors of the government until this decision is reversed and demand that locally produced milk is the milk of choice,” he said.

My electorate at Athertonis in one the best milk producing areas of QUEENSLAND – I’ve received advice that a state government department is buying in UHT milk from oversea…s because it’s cheaper and cost saving – Rest assured that I will bash on the doors of the government until this decision is reversed and demand that locally produced milk is the milk of choice.

Within hours of this media release hitting the airwaves, State Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne contacted the Lotus Glen Prison near Mareeba, telling the manager to stop buying NZ milk and buy local milk.