MEDIA ADVISORY 25 February 2011

Silver Fern Farms has made available bulk water now from both its Islington and Belfast plants on the outskirts of Christchurch, working with independent contractors like Stephen Bleeker of Bleeker Contracting and alongside Federated Farmers and Fonterra, to bring much needed water supplies into Christchurch city.

The company’s Islington reservoir holds up to 300,000 litres, is ground-fed and provides a reliable water source close to Christchurch. With four wells on site the Belfast plant adds significant additional capacity with an endless supply of potable water available for immediate transportation. Residents are still being urged to boil water as a continued precaution.

Federated Farmers has liaised with Civil Defence and Christchurch City Council so that City Care can utilise the facility that Silver Fern Farms has brought on stream. Having access to both Islington and Belfast sites will greatly reduce transit times.

Silver Fern Farms Chief Executive Keith Cooper said that the cooperative had been overwhelmed by messages from its shareholders wanting to assist, however, he reiterated the government’s message that the most effective mechanism was to make donations directly to the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal to ensure that aid could be applied quickly and in a coordinated manner (Ph 0900 73327, online at www.redcross.org.nz/donate or Freepost 232690, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144).

He was heartened that the company could make a meaningful contribution to the relief effort by teaming up with other committed individuals and organisations to provide assistance where and when it really counts.

ENDS

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