Monday, 22 June 2020 09:27

Shareholders council review — interim report released

Written by  Staff Reporters

Fonterra farmers have received an interim report from the Steering Group leading the review of Fonterra’s Shareholders Council.

Coming at the end of the first stage of the review, the report summarises the key themes in the feedback, collected from over 1400 Fonterra shareholders and sharemilkers via an online survey. 

The summarised feedback, which includes over 2600 comments, offers a wide range of views, says Steering Group chair James Buwalda. 

Many are dissatisfied with the council’s perceived performance and effectiveness. Various suggestions for improvement were made, while some proposed disestablishing the council altogether.

 “We are very pleased with the amount of feedback we have received so far,” Buwalda says. “The survey feedback will inform the next steps in the review, which include further analysis of key issues and options for addressing these.”

Face-to-face consultation with farmers on these possible options was originally scheduled for this month but had to be deferred due to restrictions on travel and gatherings. 

With too little time to plan and undertake a thorough consultation before the busy calving season began on farm, the consultation meetings are now being planned for mid-September to early October. 

The final report, which will present the Steering Group’s recommendations, is expected to be completed before the end of November.

 “The Steering Group is very disappointed that the Covid-19 situation between March and June disrupted this review,” says Buwalda. 

“However Fonterra farmers want to know that they have been heard and their feedback has been given the appropriate consideration. We are committed to a robust process, to ensure integrity in our analysis and recommendations.”

More like this

Fonterra posts solid results

Fonterra has delivered a solid half-year result, thanks to higher margins and sales volumes across the co-op's diversified product and category mix.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as…

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand…

Machinery & Products

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Papal visit

OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.

Thai egg tarts

OPINION: The hustle and bustle of one of Bangkok's most popular fast food outlets may feel a world away from…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter