Simon Talbot, chief executive officer of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has described the Harper Competition Policy Review Panel Draft Report as “an important step toward positive reform”.

He said that “rebalancing” the supply chain was a key priority.

He added: “Key priorities for the agricultural sector include measures that will re-balance the supply chain, including misuse of market power, unfair contract terms and greater flexibility in collective bargaining, among several other recommendations.

“We maintain our principal policy of a mandatory code – ensuring a whole of supply chain approach that encompasses all retailers, and provides assurances that breaches of any code have the backing of government.

“We want to see the implementation of fair policy settings that positively impact on farmer revenue.

“The NFF supports healthy competition: farmers are not afraid of competition as long as it’s fair, what we need is an effective legislation base to work in. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Harper Review as a mechanism to promote the competitiveness of Australian agriculture.”