Preserve NSW’s canning industry, AMWU urges

Consumers, supermarkets and government need to take action to save Australia’s canned food industry, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) has said.

The AMWU made the statement following Simplot’s announcement that its Bathurst cannery may cease operating after the 2014 season. The cannery, which produces canned vegetables for labels such as Edgell and Birds Eye, employs 160 permanent workers and hundreds more on a seasonal basis.

According to the AMWU, Simplot’s Devonport factory in Tasmania is also under threat.

After the recent closure of Windsor Farm’s cannery at Cowra, Simplot’s closing would leave NSW with no vegetable canning capacity, AMWU NSW Secretary Tim Ayres.

“Simplot’s closure would be a massive blow to jobs in Bathurst,” Ayres said. “It would be a blow to NSW farmers who sell their local produce to Simplot and leave consumers without the option to buy Australian-made tinned fruit and veges when they go to the supermarket.

Ayres said consumers need to seek out Australian food to support the industry, particularly by boycotting supermarket house brand products, which he says are “made mostly from imported produce”.

“Government also needs to come to the party with support for this important industry and policy settings that will allow it to thrive - including better labelling laws to make it easier for consumers to buy Australian.

“The announcement from Simplot could not be more serious. If we don’t act now, Australian canned vegetables will disappear and we’ll be left to rely on imports.”