Romney questions Petersen’s justifications

Media Release - 18 August 2009
Romney questions Petersen’s justifications

Hugh Taylor, Romney NZ Chair, says he’s bemused by the variety of statements made by the Meat and Wool Chairman in response to Romney’s recent stance against the wool levy.

“He’s contradicting himself in every article that I read. Why would we growers continue funding an organisation where not even the chairman seems sure about what is going on?” says Mr Taylor.

Mr Taylor says he is also concerned to have heard via the media from the two manufacturers that Wool Partners International (WPI) has signed deals with, that they are not paying a premium for the wool they are purchasing from WPI.

In addition to what was outlined in the open letter to growers, Romney NZ has raised some other concerns after hearing the justifications given by Mr Petersen.

“There have been major discrepancies in his explanation of how WONZ will be funded if the levy goes though. His most recent response is six months, which is at odds with previous statements made, My Taylor says.

“In the Otago Daily Times Mr Petersen is quoted as saying that Meat and Wool have already been funding WONZ for six months, with another 18 months to run. Where was the farmers mandate for this to happen?

“Mr Petersen claims that he resigned/stood down from his involvement with Wool Grower Holdings at the end of July. Why is he still showing as a shareholder on the Companies’ Office website almost a month later?” he says.

“Wool growers need to ask themselves where is the added value that has been promised from the strategies that we have been funding. And when is that return on investment going to be delivered if we continue to support this organisation, or are we flogging a dead horse?”

ENDS

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