Tuesday, 26 June 2012 09:35

More safeguards needed: O’Connor

Written by Pamela Tipa

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Fonterra' s vote on Trading Among Farmers means more safeguards are needed in the proposed legislation to protect farmer control and ownership, Labour's Primary Industries spokesperson Damien O'Connor says.

"When the law changes voted on by farmers today first came in front of Parliament, we (Labour) said protections need to be locked into law because putting them into Fonterra's constitution is not enough," O'Connor says.

"Our fears have been realised with constitutional amendments to lock in farmer ownership only receiving 72.8% of the vote. Changing the constitution requires a 75% vote so they haven't been adopted.

"The result is that farmers have voted for trading among farmers, but even though there were more votes for the protection measures they haven't passed.

"If trading among farmers goes ahead without Labour's proposed amendment, control of Fonterra and its profits could pass to non-farmers and potentially out of New Zealand," O'Connor says.

More like this

Winston's crusade

OPINION: A short-term sugar hit. That's what NZ First leader Winston Peters is calling the proposed sale of Fonterra's consumer and associated businesses.

Fonterra executive named new Massey University vice chancellor

When Professor Pierre Venter takes up his new role as vice chancellor at Massey University next February it will just be a matter of taking a few steps across the road to get to his new office at the Palmerston North Campus.

Survey shows most Fonterra farmers plan to use capital return for debt reduction

A large slice of the $3.2 billion proposed capital return for Fonterra farmer shareholders could end up with the banks.

Fonterra’s $3.2b capital return to farmers set to boost rural incomes and NZ economy

According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.

Make the right decision, Peters urges Fonterra farmers

New Zealand First leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters is ratcheting up pressure on Fonterra farmers as they vote on divesting the co-operative’s consumer and related businesses.

Featured

Fieldays calls for strategic investment in its future

A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.

Dairy farmers welcome NZ’s revised 2050 methane target

The Government's revised 2050 biogenic methane target range of 14-24% by 2050 is being welcomed by dairy farmers.

Distance education on the rise - Massey University

An increasing number of students are doing agricultural and horticultural degrees at Massey University by distance learning.

ANZ supports Southland farmers after severe storms

ANZ New Zealand is encouraging farmers and businesses impacted by the recent extreme weather that hit Southland and South Otago last week to seek support if they need it.

Fonterra executive named new Massey University vice chancellor

DairyBase and Farm Focus partner to provide benchmarking

Two rural data organisations - DairyNZ’s DairyBase and Farm Focus - have formed a new partnership that aims to remove data duplication and help provide more timely, useful benchmarking insights for farmers.

National

Survey shows most Fonterra farmers plan to use capital return for debt reduction

A large slice of the $3.2 billion proposed capital return for Fonterra farmer shareholders could end up with the banks.

McClay: “Go hard, go fast!"

Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy…

Fonterra’s $3.2b capital return to farmers set to boost rural incomes and NZ economy

According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into…

Bank of New Zealand launches First Farm initiative

Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through a new initiative designed to make the…

Make the right decision, Peters urges Fonterra farmers

New Zealand First leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters is ratcheting up pressure on Fonterra farmers as they vote on…

Machinery & Products

Safer Farms issues safety alert on ATV rollovers when towing calf milk trailers

Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the…

Cheetah Electronics launches Rodent Shield to protect agricultural machinery from rodent damage

With the increased arrival of technology in modern agricultural machinery, it invariably means more wiring and electronic control modules. This brings…

Deutz-Fahr wins silver at Agritechnica 2025 for Tractor Assisted Guidance System (TAGS)

Deutz-Fahr has been awarded the prestigious silver medal at the upcoming Agritechnica 2025.

Taking the guesswork out of water usage, weighing

Although not a new concept, in-field animal weighing seems to be gaining traction by delivering live animal data without the need…

GEA launches AI-powered walkover teat sprayer

GEA says that its latest walkover teat sprayer is helping farmers save time and boost udder health.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Visit archives