Wednesday, 26 March 2014 16:31

Fonterra ‘confident’ in Danone case

Written by 

FONTERRA IS "very confident" with its legal position in the Danone case and has budgeted just $11 million, says Lukas Paravicini, chief financial officer.

The $11 million set aside in the Danone law suit is what it views as its legal obligation in the contract, Paravicini said today at the release of its half-year result.

"We are very confident with our legal position and we will defend that position vigorously and at this stage we do not see the need for any further provisions under the legal contractual obligation."

Danone has previously indicated lost sales from precautionary food safety recall of whey protein concentrate supplied by Fonterra cost the company at least $500 million.

Chief executive Theo Spierings said today Fonterra would be happy to have Danone back as a customer.

"Danone is a very key customer, it is very unfortunate we went through the 'event'. There's two parties involved here – two parties with different opinions."

He says they would be open to a commercial discussion with Danone at all times. "But there is a legal situation ... so we are not going to talk about it here right now," he told a press conference at the Auckland's head office.

But on the commercial side they have an approach of "an open line like any customer", he said.

More like this

No backing down

OPINION: Fonterra isn't backing down in its fight with Greenpeace over the labelling of its iconic Anchor Butter.

Entitled much?

OPINION: For the last few weeks, we've witnessed a parade of complaints about New Zealand's school lunch program: 'It's arriving late.' 'The portions are wrong.' 'I wanted caviar.'

Fonterra mulls options - sale or IPO

An outright sale of Fonterra’s global consumer business is more likely than a float, says Forsyth Barr senior analyst equities, Matt Montgomerie.

Fonterra updates earnings

Fonterra says its earnings for the 2025 financial year are anticipated to be in the upper half of its previously forecast earnings range of 40-60 cents per share.

Featured

People expos set to return

Building on the success of last year's events, the opportunity to attend People Expos is back for 2025, offering farmers  the chance to be inspired and gain more tips and insights for their toolkits to support their people on farm.

SustaiN lands NZ registration

Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN – which contains a urease inhibitor that reduces the amount of ammonia released to the air – has now been registered by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). It is the first fertiliser in New Zealand to achieve this status.

National

Chilled cow cuts enter China

Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports into China following approval of its Levin and Mataura plants…

New CEO for Safer Farms

Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture, has appointed Brett Barnham as its new chief…

Machinery & Products

AGCO and SDF join hands

Tractor and machinery manufacturer AGCO has signed a supply agreement with the European-based SDF Group, best known for its SAME,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Sacrificed?

OPINION: Henry Dimbleby, author of the UK's Food Strategy, recently told the BBC: "Meat production is about 85% of our…

Entitled much?

OPINION: For the last few weeks, we've witnessed a parade of complaints about New Zealand's school lunch program: 'It's arriving…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter