NZ Exporters Urge Politicians to Finalise India Free Trade Deal
New Zealand exporters are putting the blowtorch on politicians to get the free trade deal with India over the line.
After rejecting a proposal for a pay rise last year, 50.6% of B+LNZ levy paying farmers backed the pay rise today at the organisation’s annual meeting in Rotorua.
This year, the Director Independent Remuneration Committee (DIRC) recommended a 6% rise in the total pool for director fees - from $401,500 to $424,000. This would have raised the chair's fees by 18% to $90,000, a 3% rise in director fee to $39,250 and no change to the discretionary spend pool. However, the B+LNZ board asked farmers to approve a 4% rise to the total pool - to $417,500. This represents a fee increase for the chair to $83,320 and for each director to $39,250.
The second resolution on the appointment of the auditor was supported, with 96.83% in favour.
The voter turnout represented 7.43% of registered sheep, beef and dairy farmers. While this is low, it is not unprecedented and it roughly aligns other industry groups’ processes, says B+LNZ.
Around 70 people attended the annual meeting, held as part of the Out the Gate farmer event in Rotorua. The Out the Gate event has attracted about 300 participants.
