Tuesday, 17 October 2023 11:55

Sustainability no fad

Written by  Staff Reporters
Mike Montgomerie Mike Montgomerie

Sustainability is not a fad and won't go away, says retiring Fonterra Co-operative Council member Mike Montgomerie.

He says sustainability will be an enduring feature of farming.

He says Fonterra is moving in the right direction when it comes to improving its environmental footprint right across its business.

Montgomerie believes farmers are also doing their fair share but admits that methane emissions are a hard nut to crack.

He hopes that some technological solutions will come to farmers' aid so that they can have a commercially viable, cost-effective way of reducing emissions.

"It will be brilliant for dairy farming. I understand there's no silver bullet but once our emissions start heading in the right direction, it will provide a lot of comfort for NZ farming families, Fonterra and the banks."

He believes sustainability is crucial to maintain Fonterra's international markets.

"The sustainability piece is most important because of the rise in alternative proteins. If you don't crack the methane emissions issues and you are up against alternatives who don't have the same problems, it is going to be trouble for us."

More like this

Editorial: Well Done, Miles!

OPINION: In 2018, when Fonterra’s board tapped Miles Hurrell to step in as interim chief executive, the co-operative was in the doldrums.

Next CEO

OPINION: Who will replace Miles Hurrell as Fonterra's next CEO?

Media Obsession

OPINION: The mainstream media's obsession with (sleazy) 'tabloid' issues were to the fore at Fonterra's recent media conference to discuss its interim results.

Featured

Govt Commits $4m to Rural Wellbeing Initiatives

While the District Field Days brought with it a welcome dose of sunshine, it also attracted a significant cohort of sitting members from the Beehive – as one might expect in an election year.

Shane Jordan Beats Brother to Win NZ Timbersports Title

While not all sibling rivalries come to blows, one headline event at the recent New Zealand Rural Games held in Palmerston North certainly did, when reigning World Champion Jack Jordan was denied the opportunity of defending his world title in Europe later this year, after being beaten by his big brother’s superior axle blows, at the Stihl Timbersports Nationals.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Next CEO

OPINION: Who will replace Miles Hurrell as Fonterra's next CEO?

Fuel Crisis

OPINION: Governments all over the world are dealing with the fuel crisis.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter