Rural crime rises as fuel and fertiliser get more expensive
Posted by Big Gav in fertiliser, food prices, oil price
The rising price of oil (and thus fertiliser) is being blamed for rising crime rates in rural areas.
The cost of fuel, grain and fertiliser are on the rise, and so too is the rate of rural crime in Queensland. Police say fuel and stock theft on farms has escalated.
Detective Sergeant Mark Ferling, from the North Coast region's stock and rural crime squad, says the pressure of rising costs is leading to more crime. "I do believe it has got worse because of commodity prices and again we just need to be a bit more vigilant in working together with the people in the rural side," he said. "At the end of the day, they're the ones out there, and there's only a handful of police serving that area, so we need their help to help them and also for them to help us."
ABC also reports there will be a Senate inquiry into hear about extreme fertiliser price rises
A Queensland MP says the price of fertiliser in his electorate is simply a rip-off, after the price of urea rose by $250 dollars a tonne this month. The Member for Lockyer, Ian Rickuss, says it's a point that must be raised at the Senate Committee inquiry into fertiliser pricing and supply arrangements, which begins today.
He says the price rises will affect food prices. "That is just ridiculous, it has gone up 40 per cent in virtually two weeks, I just cannot believe that those kind of price rises are justified", he said.
"I ask all farmers in the area that are concerned about prices and even distributors if they're concerned about prices get in contact with their local Senators and ask them to represent them at the Senate inquiry".
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