Tuesday, 18 April 2017 10:55

Fonterra's Edgecumbe plant remains closed

Written by 
Fonterra's Edgecumbe factory. Fonterra's Edgecumbe factory.

Fonterra's Edgecumbe factory remained closed last week and milk was redirected to nearby processing plants.

The co-op and its North Island farmer suppliers were also bracing for flooding; two weeks ago, flooding caused by Cyclone Debbie had left many farms under water in the Bay of Plenty.

Fonterra’s head of Farm Source Bay of Plenty, Lisa Payne, says access to some farms was still affected by the flooding.

“The co-op is supporting those farmers as much as possible. We’d like to thank the huge number of farmers who called in with offers of help and support.

“Milk collected from farms in the local area is still being redirected to our manufacturing sites in Waikato.”

While damage to Fonterra’s Edgecumbe site has been minimal, most workers live in the nearby town which was cordoned off after the floodbank breached and homes were flooded.

Payne says some Fonterra staff have returned to the site and made good progress with cleaning and recovery. However, last week’s flooding was expected to put them back.

“It will be some days before we consider returning the site to full operations,” Payne says. “Our local Farm Source store will remain closed due to the flooding.”

Federated Farmers says for many farmers the loss of electricity will be a concern. Given many farmers made provision for generators, it is not known how much demand there will be; other farmers are being urged to lend generators to affected colleagues.

Feds is urging farmers with damaged milking gear to contact their processors and immediate neighbours. Farmers with irrigation damage are advised to contact Irrigation NZ for advice.

More like this

A great outcome - Hurrell

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the sale of the co-op’s consumer and associated businesses to Lactalis represents a great outcome for the co-op.

Featured

US tariffs threaten NZ horticulture exports

"Unwelcome" is how the chief executive of the Horticulture Export Authority (HEA), Simon Hegarty, describes the 15% tariff that the US has imposed on primary exports to that country.

National

Machinery & Products

A reliable, no-fuss workhorse

Showcased with a T7.245 at the recent National Fieldays, New Holland has expanded its T7 tractor range offering in New…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

NZ's handbrake

OPINION: Your old mate gets the sinking feeling that no matter who we vote into power in the hope they…

Witchunt?

OPINION: Newsroom is running a series of articles looking into the influence of lobbying and has kicked it off with…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter