What Would Synlait Be Worth to Fonterra or a2 Milk?
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
Rural News understands that this new farmer movement is set to launch very soon and will be pushing for a different approach to tackling on-farm emissions - especially in relation to methane.
It is understood the group will be promoting a 'methane accord', which it says will be a set of 'not negotiables' when it comes to analysing methane.
The group says its target audience is everyone - urban, rural, politicians (both outgoing and incoming). It also wants to ensure that the pressure goes on agri companies and co-operatives - such as Fonterra and Silver Fern Farm - to show their 'true colours' when it comes to pricing emissions.
"We have had enough of the Government and others in our midst - BLNZ, DairyNZ, Feds, Silver Fern Farms, Fonterra, ANZCO and Food and Fibre 'Leaders' Group - pretending to say all the right things but actually still fundamentally supporting the pricing of biogenic methane emissions," the group says.
It describes the current government and industry proposals to price agricultural emission via the He Waka Eke Noa accord as a plan to "self-sabotage" NZ's primary industry sectors.
