Monday, 22 June 2020 09:27

Shareholders council review — interim report released

Written by  Staff Reporters

Fonterra farmers have received an interim report from the Steering Group leading the review of Fonterra’s Shareholders Council.

Coming at the end of the first stage of the review, the report summarises the key themes in the feedback, collected from over 1400 Fonterra shareholders and sharemilkers via an online survey. 

The summarised feedback, which includes over 2600 comments, offers a wide range of views, says Steering Group chair James Buwalda. 

Many are dissatisfied with the council’s perceived performance and effectiveness. Various suggestions for improvement were made, while some proposed disestablishing the council altogether.

 “We are very pleased with the amount of feedback we have received so far,” Buwalda says. “The survey feedback will inform the next steps in the review, which include further analysis of key issues and options for addressing these.”

Face-to-face consultation with farmers on these possible options was originally scheduled for this month but had to be deferred due to restrictions on travel and gatherings. 

With too little time to plan and undertake a thorough consultation before the busy calving season began on farm, the consultation meetings are now being planned for mid-September to early October. 

The final report, which will present the Steering Group’s recommendations, is expected to be completed before the end of November.

 “The Steering Group is very disappointed that the Covid-19 situation between March and June disrupted this review,” says Buwalda. 

“However Fonterra farmers want to know that they have been heard and their feedback has been given the appropriate consideration. We are committed to a robust process, to ensure integrity in our analysis and recommendations.”

More like this

Featured

How Wearable Tech Powers This 1,850-Cow Dairy Farm

For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.

New Dairy Welfare Code Released, Takes Effect 2027

The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.

Federated Farmers Welcomes RMA Replacement Passing

Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter