Monday, 19 September 2016 08:54

Update on Incident at Fonterra Edendale Site

Written by 
Robert Spurway, COO of Global Operations. Robert Spurway, COO of Global Operations.

Fonterra has confirmed all staff members at its Edendale milk processing plant are safe following the collapse of a raw milk silo on Friday afternoon.

“Our teams were able to quickly confirm that all of our people were accounted for, which is always our first priority in any unexpected event,” says Robert Spurway, COO of Global Operations.

The silo is one of about 100 silos on site, representing less than 10% of Edendale’s total capacity for raw milk storage. While the cause of the incident is not yet known, Spurway confirmed there was no explosion.

He says the silo appeared to have failed and the subsequent collapse damaged a nearby pipebridge, creating the loud noise heard by those in the vicinity.

“Whilst some of the damage may take several weeks to repair, the situation is under control and we are now working to get the plant back up and running as normal,” says Spurway.

Fonterra says there could be some temporary impact on milk collection in the Southland region, and will keep impacted farmers informed.

More like this

Price cut coming?

OPINION: Dipping global dairy prices have already resulted in Irish farmers facing a price cut from processors.

Sugar hit

OPINION: Winston Peters has described the decision to sell its brand to Lactalis and disperse the profit to its farmer shareholders as a 'short sighted sugar hit'.

Featured

Te Radar celebrates kiwi farming heritage in latest release

Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Price cut coming?

OPINION: Dipping global dairy prices have already resulted in Irish farmers facing a price cut from processors.

Butter price melt

OPINION: Are the heydays of soaring global demand for butter over?

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter