AF we try some of us do.
Some buy on price or blindly, but I try.
We need to stop the fraud, the made in Aussie tag on imported stuff tinned here.

No argument here Aussie Farmer. I don't think the 10% figure is correct though, even at my local supermarket most of the fruit and veg is Australian with some seasonal variation during the year. Local produce markets are the best way of ensuring we get good Aussie fruit and veg.

I agree 100% that we should support Aussie farmers first but it is about consumer choice - the trick is to make people understand why it is better to buy Australian and campaign on the long term effects to biosecurity, food security and governance (or provenance).

There is a lot of myth surrounding free trade including the fact that food becomes more affordable or that it increase economic opportunities for poorer countries.

It clearly isn't the case as the link below reveals. Local prices have meant paying more for less than prime cuts of meat within Australia while the best meat is exported.

There are too many fingers in the pie along the way and companies now fully focussed on share prices and short term profits (than sustainability or win-win arrangements). Much of the 'savings' made on exploitation of cheap labour OS are lost to the higher profit goals of those stakeholders.

But there are too many vested interests now in globalisation and free trade, a system that works for the benefit of the few to the detriment of the majority.

Good luck and all the best to you Aussie Farmer.

http://www.tradewatch.org.au/guide/econ_glob.html

*Local prices have meant paying more for less than prime cuts of meat within Australia while the best meat is exported.*

Ah Pelican, you repeat this little furphy, over and over. Fact is
that Aussie consumers have first choice of the best cuts, if they
wish. But if you prefer to buy from a butcher who diddles you,
that is your choice and has little to do with free trade or
globalisation.

Yabby
The only peddling done is that by those with vested self interest - but you are not alone in your beliefs - we are all entitled to a different view. You believe whatever makes you sleep at night.:)

My butcher is the farm gate for the most part so no diddling there just great tasting tender grass fed meat not finished with grain fed at the end of the production line.

*My butcher is the farm gate for the most part so no diddling there just great tasting tender grass fed meat not finished with grain fed at the end of the production line.*

Pelican, you have just made my point for me. You are free to buy
the best beef, in fact any beef of your choosing, without all the
best bits being shipped overseas and you left with lower quality.

That was my point all along.

But no doubt you'll quote the same mantra on another thread :)

I shall just have to remind you once again.

Yabby you are not looking at the big picture. What I can or you can afford to buy or not buy does not do much for Australian agriculture and local food security/safety.

What does the poorest consumer in the developing world have to choose when their food supplies are exported to make a buck while the rise in prices affects the ability of locals to consume their own produce. The belief in the idea that trickle down effect is always present in these arrangements is naive.

Do me a favour and start reading some of the various free trade literature out there and some of the negative aspects of the dictatorship approach of FTAs to at least understand where some of the concerns are coming from (I don't expect a complete re-evaluation of your stance). These concerns are not just plucked out of the ether and clearly Aussie farmers are also angry and have been for a long time on a number of issues including FTAs, GMO, foreign ownership, subsidies etc.

Not everyone will agree, some will always remain convinced that the status quo is perfect and the dictatorial approach to FT is appropriate. I for one hope reason and goodwill prevail.