Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Qantas criticised over Danish butter

Updated at 7:30 am on 4 October 2009

There is criticism of Qantas by the federal opposition in Australia for serving imported butter on domestic flights.

The ABC reports domestic dairy farmers are receiving low prices for their milk because of a global downturn in demand for dairy products.

Farmers in Tasmania claim their industry is close to collapse after excessive rain and recent power cuts.

Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck says farmers are disappointed that Qantas is using butter imported from Denmark.

Qantas has confirmed it provides Lurpak butter. The airline said the decision to purchase cheaper Danish butter was made during the downturn in the aviation industry to minimise job losses.

However, Qantas says the butter served in its airline lounges is Australian.

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