Lactalis in front to acquire Fonterra’s Australian dairy assets after ACCC clearance
The world's largest dairy company may be in pole position to acquire Fonterra's Australian assets.
FONTERRA IS still looking for Government and other support for its national Milk for Schools programme.
The co-op is launching the national scheme on its own, but says it would welcome co-sponsorship. A total of 350,000 primary school children throughout New Zealand will be offered a free serving of milk every school day from next year, as part of the scheme.
Fonterra group general manager global cooperative social responsibility, Carly Robinson, says it is open to talks with the Government and others. She says some "in-kind partners" are helping with logistics. However, the co-op is the sole funder of the scheme and is prepared to spend "a substantial amount" on its own.
"One area of support we need from the Government is the level of health impact over time from the Milk for Schools programme," Robinson told Rural News.
After a successful trial in Northland schools this year, the national scheme was launched last week at Hillpark Primary School in South Auckland by chief executive Theo Spierings and All Blacks captain and Fonterra ambassador Riche McCaw. Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne was also present.
Spierings says Fonterra is committed to Milk for Schools because it will make a lasting difference to the health of New Zealand's children.
"We want Kiwis to grow up drinking milk because it's good for them and we are proud this programme will give every primary school kid the chance to enjoy this nutritious product.
"New Zealand is the largest exporter of dairy products in the world, but at home we're not drinking as much milk as we used to. We want to be the dairy nutrition capital of the world and this starts with our kids."
Research by the University of Auckland has shown that children's milk consumption in the Northland community, at school and at home, has significantly increased since the pilot began.
Two butcheries have claimed victory at the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards for 2025.
A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.
The Climate Change Commission’s 2025 emissions reduction monitoring report reveals steady progress on the reduction of New Zealand’s climate pollution.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
The Government’s directive for state farmer Landcorp Farming (trading as Pamu) to lifts its performance is yielding results.
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.
OPINION: Will synthetic milk derail NZ's economy?
OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a…