Gavan Herlihy National Agriculture Spokesperson

18 June 2001

Time to put dairy industry politics behind us

Now is the time to put industry politics behind us and work to deliver a vertically-integrated dairy industry with the world's marketplace the focus, National's Agriculture spokesman Gavan Herlihy said today.

"Dairy farmers have clearly spoken and their decisive support for the formation of Global-Co is important given the new $12 billion dairy company will belong to the farmers. The over 80% approval is a huge confidence boost to the county's 14,500 dairy farmers

"National supports the farmers' decision for the global food company. We will support the legalisation. National believes broad political consensus for Global-Co is imperative given the dairy industry's importance to the New Zealand economy

"National looks forward to continuing to work with the industry as the final details of the regulatory system are put in place.

"We welcome input. It's important people and organisations that want to have their say present submissions to the parliamentary select committee over the coming weeks.

"In the interests of consumers, farmers, and our export sector, we must get the fine print on the company's formation right over the coming months. Today's decisive confirmation is a great start," Mr Herlihy said.

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