fbpx
Print this page
Tuesday, 04 September 2018 08:55

Dairy critics in it for the money?

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
What are the real motives behind critics of Fonterra? What are the real motives behind critics of Fonterra?

Former Fonterra director Mark Townsend believes people need to be more wary about the real motives behind critics of the dairy co-op.

He concedes that Fonterra cops its share of criticism – some deserved and some over the top.

Referring to the attack on Fonterra leadership by NZ First Minister Shane Jones, Townshend says the “bizarre outburst will have been fuelled from somewhere”.

“And it will be worth watching who funds political parties (donations) and what they might like to see for their own self-interest as Government legislators do the DIRA review,” he told Rural News.

Townshend says non-supplying Fonterra unit holders receiving disappointing returns on investments have “a genuine grievance”.

However, he is disappointed at criticism from Fonterra shareholders and ex-Fonterra employees.

Townsend says Fonterra farmers need to be able to make their own assessments around how well the co-op is doing in paying its farmers a globally competitive milk price – rather than being overly influenced by outside parties with their own vested interests.

More like this

Featured

HortNZ celebrates 20 Years

More than 150 people turned up at Parliament recently to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).

National

India FTA negotiations end

A landmark moment for New Zealand. That's how  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon describes the conclusion of negotiations for an India-New…

Machinery & Products