A DUTCH DAIRY veteran Henk Bles has been appointed to the newly-created role of managing director international farming ventures for an initial six-month period.

FONTERRA IS "very confident" with its legal position in the Danone case and has budgeted just $11 million, says Lukas Paravicini, chief financial officer.

FONTERRA PLANS to spent up to an extra $500 million to increase capacity through its plants, with emerging market demand growing faster than expected, says chief executive Theo Spierings.

A RECORD DEMAND for milk powders saw Fonterra's revenue up 21% - but after tax profit is down 53%, the cooperative has reported in its interim results.

IF FONTERRA wants to fulfil its potential and at the same time become more environmentally sustainable it needs to start acting more like a food company. It also needs to work on its image.

FONTERRA AND NESTLE, through joint venture Dairy Partners Americas (DPA), have opened a $45m dairy distribution centre in Araras, Brazil.

FONTERRA CHIEF executive Theo Spierings has welcomed the release of the Government inquiry report into the whey protein concentrate contamination incident.

FONTERRA IS maintaining its forecast farmgate milk price at $8.30kg/MS for the 2013/14 season.

FONTERRA STAFF unhappy with food and safety standards in the supply chain can now take their concerns directly to the top – without the fear of being victimised.

FONTERRA HAS BOUGHT a 6% stake in Australian dairy company Bega Cheese Ltd for AUS$46 million (NZ$52m).