Years ago the farmers in our 'food belt' ploughed their orange trees into the earth because of cheap imports (the BIG supermarkets were importing USA oranges and selling at less than the Aussie farmer could produce them). Arnotts biscuits were bought out by a multi-national. I do NOT buy fruit/veg that is labeled 'Made/grown in USA' or China. I have a small vegie patch and friends have orange/lemon/lime trees so I don't buy them. As I have stated, I will not buy fruit or veg that is imported, especially from USA or China.

I have the feeling our politicians have really sold us out with the 'Free Trade' deals. The frightening thought being that one day they (the politicians) will only have us the people to give away. Not a pleasant thought.

Valerie,

There is either free trade, or there is not. Origin has some influence over purchasing decisions, but only a small one. Forcing buying decisions by legislation is considered a trade barrier.

and here in the Philippines we get 'raisins' imported all the way from California, and also navel oranges from California, but Australia's a lot closer but usually ignored except for its milk, meat and oatmeal (Australian Harvest'). Don't ask for vegemite either, they wouldn't know what you're talking about! Probably because there are such few Australian expats living up here.

Supermarkets will also buy where things are the cheapest while transport costs are low. Things won’t change until long distance transport becomes very expensive which will inevitably happen as Peak Oil takes effect and high oil prices kicks in. Obviously oil is currently too cheap if it makes financial sense to ship a lemon in from the USA.

Here in Tasmania we have one huge lettuce grower who provides lettuces right around Australia for the two (or should I say too?) big supermarkets. Yes, we are growing lettuces in Tasmania and then trucking them to West Australia. Go figure.

Steven French

Valerie,
Great article. The definition of "free" in "free trade" is subjectively based on the side which yields the greatest power. That isn’t Australia.
Australia and indeed the worlds greatest problem with food is not the growing or the selling. It’s the bit in the middle called distribution. The people that control it are the one’s who own the supermarkets. There are huge levels of needless waste associated with distribution.
See:
http://12.000.scripts.mit.edu/mission2014/problems/inadequate-food-distribution-systems
http://www.siwi.org/documents/Resources/Papers/Paper_13_Field_to_Fork.pdf