Friday, 25 May 2012 12:32

TAF path “a slippery slope”

Written by 

Former Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman Simon Couper says the Trading Among Farmers (TAF) model is unable to deliver 100% farmer ownership and control.

Couper, who resigned yesterday, says it has always been a strong principle of his that the ownership and control of the co-op must be protected.

"TAF theoretically provides a unique opportunity for our co-op but absolutely must have complete safeguards around ownership and control"

While the board and council have made some progress he was convinced there were factors that needed to be in place to protect the co-op, he says.

"Fund size was key in my decision and a threshold of anything over 15% puts the co-op at risk"

He says farmers must realise TAF "will put us on a path that has the potential to become a slippery slope".

"I've always held to my integrity. I accept that a majority of council maybe happy with the proposed model but I couldn't lead an organisation where I had such a big fundamental difference on such a big issue"

More like this

El Niño Summer: Terravest on Preparing Dairy Sheds Now

After a winter of frozen pipework and refrigeration call-outs, Terravest chief executive Kip Bodle and chief operating officer Luke Walker explain why this El Niño summer calls for a different kind of preparation, before the first heatwave finds the weak points for you.

Why 'Fork to Farm' Beats Farm to Fork, Expert Says

In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.

Featured

Editorial: The Value of Credibility

OPINION: In politics, credibility is and should be big. It must surely rank higher than charisma, which is quite trite and superficial. Yet, voters nowadays are often wooed and influenced by how someone looks or talks at a superficial level. TV plays a huge role in this.

Kaikōura Families Get School Run Lifeline After Storm

Kaikōura families affected by July's severe storm have found a practical solution to a problem that's kept some children away from regular schooling for weeks: a washed-out section of Inland Kaikōura Road, which has stopped the local school bus from running its usual route.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

'LinkedIn Greens'

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…

UK Warning

OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter