Thursday 3rd Feb 2000
Owen Jennings Media Release

Keep your promise to apple growers - Jennings

While apple growers will be pleased that the Minister of Agriculture has approved the NZ Apple & Pear Marketing Board's revised restructuring plan, they will be deeply concerned at reports that the proceeds from the sale Frucor Ltd are not going to be paid out as promised, says ACT rural affairs spokesman Owen Jennings.

"Many growers are critically dependant on receiving the Frucor proceeds to remain viable. The Board has made it very clear up until now that as soon as a share structure was in place these proceeds (worth up to $2 per carton) would be available to relieve the intense financial pressure faced by growers following ENZA's poor performance in the marketplace and indifferent climatic seasons.

"The outgoing Board ought to reconsider its most recent plans to use the Frucor money to fight new players entering the export market, and should honour its promises to put the money into the hands of hard-pressed growers," Mr Jennings said.

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