Tuesday, 06 October 2020 08:55

It’s all kosher – Taggart

Written by David Anderson

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Alliance chair Murray Taggart says the co-op had been “open and upfront” about the wage subsidy.

Farmer-owned cooperative Alliance Group says it has already returned $17 million of the $34.3 million it claimed from the Covid-19 wage subsidy.

Read: Alliance faces court over subsidy.

In a statement to Rural News, Alliance chairman Murray Taggart said the co-op had been “open and upfront” about the wage subsidy.

“We have been in ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Social Development about the application of the subsidy and stated from the outset that we would return any funds not used to pay people. In line with that commitment, we have returned $17 million of the subsidy.”

Taggart said the company’s application for the wage subsidy was supported and endorsed by the New Zealand Meat Workers Union.

“From the beginning, we have applied the subsidy to the right people in the right way,” he added.

Taggart said Alliance predominantly processes sheep and the nature of its processing means it was more severely affected by the Covid-19 operating restrictions than other companies.

“The support from the Government has meant we were able to maintain the employment of our people and ensure their earnings were not impacted during the Covid-19 lockdown,” he added.

“We were also able to continue paying those people with underlying health conditions or aged over 70 who were unable to work during the lockdown and those on stand-by to cover absenteeism.”

More like this

Dawn Meats takes 65% stake in Alliance Group in major industry deal

Alliance and Dawn Meats have completed their new strategic partnership.

Alliance Group returns to profit after two years with $93m turnaround

After two years, Alliance Group has returned to profit.

'Told you so'

OPINION: Your old mate hears some of the farmers involved in the Meat Industry Excellence (MIE) group ten years ago think the Alliance deal with Irish company Dawn Meats is “an absolute disaster” – and is the kind of outcome they predicted back then if nothing changed.

Dawn Meats confirms no Alliance plant closures

The new majority owner of meat company Alliance has no plans to close any processing plants. Instead, Dawn Meats plans to extract more value from Alliance's existing footprint.

JV brings powerful competitive edge - Dawn Meats

Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne says their joint venture with Alliance Group will create “a dynamic industry competitor”.

Featured

Competition snares over 33,000 wild goats

The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.

New healthcare model needed to address rates of rural obesity

New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.

Storm-damaged trees still causing havoc in Southland

Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees

Ashburton dairy farmers reinvent their system with return to spring calving

Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.

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.