Tuesday, 24 April 2012 11:47

Labour wants fair vote

Written by 

Labour's primary industries spokesperson Damien O'Connor says the second TAF vote must be "comprehensive and democratic".

He wants a postal ballot, rather than voting at a special meeting to be held on June 25.

"All Fonterra farmers must be given the right to have their say on the core issue of whether TAF is needed, and not be distracted by the issues of milk price and share value.

"The message I get from a growing number of farmers is that each and every one of them wants to see the full details and due diligence on TAF proposals and then make a decision to support it or not by way of postal vote.

"Any attempt by Fonterra to seek partial endorsement of TAF, before the details are known by its shareholder-farmers, is, in my view, an undermining of their basic shareholder rights."

O'Connor also wants the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill currently before Parliament to be withdrawn until a clear mandate is received for TAF to proceed.

"The legislation as it stands will create a dilemma for farmers and will impose milk price interference and manipulated share price on their cooperative if they reject TAF.

"Fonterra's directors have astutely recognised the growing concern among farmers regarding the proposed changes, which have yet to be fully detailed or explained by the board of Fonterra."

More like this

Winston's crusade

OPINION: A short-term sugar hit. That's what NZ First leader Winston Peters is calling the proposed sale of Fonterra's consumer and associated businesses.

Featured

Elite sheep dogs to go head-to-head at Ashburton A&P Show

A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.

Safer Rides initiative boosts farm quad bike safety

According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.

Editorial: Farewell Jim

OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Microplastics problem

OPINION: Microplastics are turning up just about everywhere in the global food supply, including in fish, cups of tea, and…

Job cuts

OPINION: At a time when dairy prices are at record highs, no one was expecting the world's second largest dairy…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter