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

Open Country opens butter plant

When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.

Featured

National

Rural bias?

OPINION: After years of ever-worsening results from our education system, the startling results from a maths acceleration programme stood out like…

Will big be better?

The government has unveiled yet another move which it claims will unlock the potential of the country’s cities and region.

Primary sector future hailed

The government is hailing the news that food and fibre exports are predicted to reach a record  $62 billion in…

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Yes, Minister!

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…

Two-legged pests

OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter