Fonterra Gets Easy Ride

Dairy farmers showed remarkable restraint at the first Fonterra Annual General Meeting, ACT Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff said today.

"I am surprised at the very soft criticism of the Fonterra board and management, especially with the results of the Powdergate inquiry still looming over key figures.

"Fonterra has made some basic errors, including even organising the collection of milk from the farm-gate, but hope remains that these have simply been teething problems. The next few months, and the outcome of the Powdergate inquiry, will be the real test.

"Fonterra cannot afford to brush off the criticism that farmers did make, especially that the company needs to cut costs and eliminate the perception of a culture of some extravagance.

"Every New Zealander, including those of us who opposed the creation of this mammoth monopoly, want Fonterra to do well. With so much invested in this one company, our economy will be in huge trouble if Fonterra does fail," Mr Eckhoff said.

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