Divestment means Fonterra can focus on its strengths
OPINION: Fonterra's board has certainly presented us, as shareholders, with a major issue to consider.
At least 3.4 billion litres of water will be saved every year under new water targets Fonterra launched this month, the co-op says.
Six of its factories in water-constrained regions will reduce their water use by 30% by 2030 in a bid to accelerate sustainability, says chief operating officer global operations Robert Spurway.
“For some parts of New Zealand, water isn’t always in the right place at the right time,” said Spurway. “This means our water use in these regions can put stress on local water sources and the communities that rely on them.
“Reducing our water use at our manufacturing sites is the right thing to do for the environment and for the communities we operate in.”
The six sites are Maungatoroto, Lichfield, Brightwater, Darfield, Edendale and Clandeboye.
Spurway says the targets will ultimately result in better efficiency and outcomes.
“We’ve focused on the six sites where major water savings can have the greatest impact. This means we can target efforts and investment in regions most in need.”
All other Fonterra sites will take steps to keep water use to FY18 baselines.
“Some initiatives are underway and more are in the pipeline. This target will require clever ideas and creative thinking.”
The co-op also has the following plans:
• No more coal boilers or increasing capacity to burn coal
• Reducing emissions by 30% at all factories by 2030, on the way to net zero by 2050
• Improving the energy intensity of sites by 20% by 2020
• No solid waste to landfills by 2025
• 100% recyclable, reusable and compostable packaging by 2025
• A tailored farm environment plan for every Fonterra farmer by 2025
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
A day after the ouster of PGG Wrightson’s chair and his deputy, the listed rural trader’s board has appointed John Nichol as the new independent chair.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.