Wednesday, 20 June 2012 08:22

Shareholders urged to vote

Written by 

With only a few working days before Fonterra cooperative group's 10,500 shareholders decide upon its Trading Among Farmers (TAF) proposal, Federated Farmers is imploring all shareholders to vote.

"If you intend to appoint a proxy or vote by post, then you really need to get your forms back in the freepost envelope," says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson.

"Farmer-shareholders need to be mindful how close voting cut-offs are right now.

"Anyone intending to vote by internet or by fax needs to have it lodged by 10.30am, this Saturday, June 23.

"For postal votes or proxy appointments, these need to be physically received by 10.30am on Saturday, 23 June as well.

"Failing that, the only other way to vote is at one of eight physical venues on Monday, June 25 at 10.30am. Details of these venues are included below.

"Farmers need to remember they own Fonterra. Whatever the result of the vote, it is for the board and management to respect what we determine as shareholders.

"Right now there are too many people offering advice for or against TAF or even asking farmers to vote in line with a province. That is really unhelpful. I have voted but which way is completely irrelevant because this is an individual decision for the coop's owners.

"So forget the parochialism and the lobbying and think about your philosophy and how that sits with your vision of Fonterra's future. Your instinctive reaction is probably the most honest one to go with.

"Any intervention in shareholder decision-making only invites shareholders to seek a greater say in future board or management decisions. This is not a good model for future governance.

"I am deeply concerned that any solution to redemption risk won't stick if we just end up dividing the coop. The best way to prevent that is for us owners to front up and vote," Leferink says.

Venues for special AGM, 10.30am, Monday, June 25:

 Whangarei: Forum North, Rust Ave, Whangarei

 Rotorua: Novotel Hotel, 11 Tutanekai St, Rotorua

 Hawera: TSB Hub, Waihi Rd, Hawera

 Palmerston North: Awapuni Racecourse, Racecourse Rd, Palmerston North

 Nelson: Petite Fleur at Seifried Estate, cnr SH60 & Redwood Rd, Appleby,

Richmond

 Ashburton: Ashburton Hotel, 11-35 Racecourse Rd, Ashburton

 Invercargill: Ascot Park Hotel, cnr Tay St & Racecourse Rd, Invercargill

More like this

Winston Peters questions Fonterra divestment plan

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.

Editorial: A new era for two co-ops

OPINION: Farmer shareholders of two of New Zealand's largest co-operatives have an important decision to make this month and what they decide could change the landscape of the dairy and meat sectors in New Zealand.

Working with farmers to ensure best outcomes

OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.

Editorial: Nitrate emergency?

OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.

Federated Farmers slam Canterbury nitrate emergency

A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.

Featured

'One more push' to eliminate FE

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.

Winston Peters questions Fonterra divestment plan

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.

National

Machinery & Products

New McHale terra drive axle option

Well-known for its Fusion baler wrapper combination, Irish manufacturer McHale has launched an interesting option at the recent Irish Ploughing…

Amazone unveils flagship spreader

With the price of fertiliser still significantly higher than 2024, there is an increased onus on ensuring its spread accurately at…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Tough times

OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.

MSA triumph

OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter