Feds offer thanks and best wishes to John Wilson

Outgoing Fonterra chairman John Wilson can leave feeling proud of the role he’s played in guiding the co-op in a time of volatile international markets and a host of local challenges, Federated Farmers says.

"He’s done a tremendous job and gives 100%," Feds Dairy chair Chris Lewis says. "He has always been fiercely supportive and proud of his co-op shareholders (farmers) and the work they do.

"Fonterra is based in Auckland but John has been very clear that a big contributor to the fact New Zealand has a thriving economy is because farmers across the nation get up to milk cows every day."

Mr Wilson has announced he is stepping down as chairman from today and will retire form Fonterra’s board at the AGM in November.

"Federated Farmers is concerned to hear of John’s recent brush with health issues - and pleased to hear he is recovering well," Chris says.

"From the Feds’ perspective, he has always welcomed us in to discuss co-op and other dairy sector issues.

"John is keen to see the DIRA phased out. He has worked with Federated Farmers to make sure that, in the long term when Fonterra is no longer required to pick up all milk offered, those farms at the end of the valley and those Fonterra supplying farms changing hands, can still belong to the co-op."

Federated Farmers looks forward to continuing its relationship with Fonterra under new chairperson, John Monaghan. "We have worked with him for many years so expect the transition will be smooth," Chris says.

ENDS

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