Following an August 1 blockade of McCain's processing plant at Smithton in northwestern Tasmania they negotiated an immediate increase of $22 per ton for the coming season with a further boost of $9 next year. Simplot, the other processor, agreed to the $22 increase with further increments over the next two years taking the total rise to $36 per ton.

Speaking to a reporter at the 400-strong Smithton blockade, Richard Bovil, a potato farmer and member of the Potato Action Committee, said, "The turnout today is pretty incredible. I think the equipment that's here is way beyond expectation. There's hundreds of tractors out there. The factory is completely surrounded, the main street into town has got trucks and tractors from one end to the other, and it really just proves once and for all that the farmers are out to fight for a fair go.

"What we get $200 for, the fast food chains are getting $8,000 to $9,000 for," he said. Farmers said they receive only 4.5 cents for a large serve of McDonalds french fries, worth more than $2. At the protest Bovil promised wider action to win the price increase.

"Future actions will be more spontaneous," the farmer said. "There'll be very little notice and it'll take place at all factories, not just one." Tasmanian farmers subsequently addressed a meeting of potato farmers from the state of Victoria. Negotiations followed, leading to the increased prices.

Brendan Gleeson is a member of the Australasian Meat Industry Employee's Union  
 
 
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