McCain Foods appears certain to continue with plans to close their vegetable processing plant in Smithton, Tasmania after a last-ditch bid by Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett to change the manufacturer’s mind failed. Mr Bartlett met with McCain executives in Melbourne this morning and came away from the meeting resigned to the fact that the factory would close in November next year. He has attempted to convince McCain to at least keep it open for a further year, but this remains unlikely. McCain... ...Read more »

Birds Eye and Edgell maker Simplot has squashed hopes that they will take on more vegetable contracts in the wake of McCain’s decision to close a vegetable processing plant in the state of Tasmania. Simplot’s Managing Director Terry O’Brien told the ABC’s Country Hour that the company was committed to the southern state but had no plans to expand. “Unfortunately the market isn’t driven by supply, the market’s driven by consumer demand,” he said. “The... ...Read more »