Commerce Committee Announces Milk Price Inquiry

The Chair of the Commerce Committee, Hon Lianne Dalziel, advises that the committee has agreed terms of reference for an inquiry into the price of milk.   

The overarching question for the select committee is whether New Zealanders are paying too much for milk and whether the market is operating effectively at all levels. In examining this question, the committee will:

• Consider the various pricing points for milk from the farm gate to the retail level and to report on any practices that may have the effect of inflating the price of milk for the New Zealand consumer and discouraging efficient competition in the sector;
• Consider what impact and influence the practices of retailers and wholesalers have on the price that consumers pay for milk;
• Consider the impact of international market prices for milk on each of the pricing points and what other factors influence the price that consumers pay for milk;
• Consider whether the current regulatory framework across the milk market is adequate to promote efficient domestic competition and what steps, if any, could be taken to improve the regulatory framework.

In considering all of the above issues the inquiry will be careful to work in with the existing interdepartmental investigation into milk price matters. The inquiry will not duplicate the work of this investigation and the select committee recognises that officials will continue to consult with interested parties in this investigation.

The committee is calling for public submissions and these close on Tuesday,

13th September 2011 at 5.00pm.

Submissions should be forwarded by the due date, either online using our website (www.parliament.nz) or in writing to the address below. If a submitter wishes to appear before the committee, they need to state this clearly and provide a name, daytime phone number and email address. Submissions generally become public and are published on our website. For further guidance on making a submission, read our publication Making a submission to a Parliamentary Select Committee on our website or contact us at 04 817 9520.

Address for correspondence: Commerce Committee, Parliament Buildings, WELLINGTON 6160.