Fonterra slashes forecast milk price, again
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
The Fonterra Shareholders Council admits that it its communication strategy during the TAF process was not up to scratch.
Council chairman Ian Brown says while farmer effort throughout the TAF process was remarkable, the council has had time to review its own performance.
"Communications stands chief among these and farmers have told us that the council did not get this right," he told the co-op annual meeting in Hamilton today.
"Over the next 12 months improvement in this area will be major focus, and we will endeavour to provide you, as the owners of Fonterra, with timely, accurate and relevant communications," Brown told shareholders.
However, he says at the same there is an obligation for all shareholders to take time to read and understand the relevant financial and other documents available to them and provide feedback to councillors.
"This information becomes vital as we move forward under a new capital structure and the council more closely monitors the business and delivers shareholders the resulting financial information as is our obligation."
Brown assured shareholders it will protect farmers' interests, and work to ensure the board meets its stated goals, and is held accountable for them.
A stable but uncertain year lies ahead for New Zealand primary products, says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith.
Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.
Primary sector leaders have praised the government and its officials for putting the Indian free trade deal together in just nine months.
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand.
Dairy farmers are still in a good place despite volatile global milk prices.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.

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