Farmers urged to vote in historic meat coop elections

6 November 2013

Farmers urged to vote in historic meat coop elections

Given strong moves to restructure New Zealand’s red meat sector, Federated Farmers is describing the director elections for Silver Fern Farms and Alliance Group as historic.

“If you want empowerment in your farming business then as shareholders you need to vote,” says Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre Chairperson, newly returned from a World Farmers’ Organisation event in Zambia.

“Set against a backdrop of what could be up to three million fewer lambs and declining stock numbers, future generations of farmers will ask current shareholders how they voted.

“Actions speak louder than words but sadly the same applies to inaction. We need shareholder farmers to get off their backside and vote.

“We also need the coops to lift their game in actively promoting the election to their shareholders.

“Farmers have equity tied up in the meat coops so it is enlightened self-interest to take more than a passing interest in the coops and who they wish to run it. It’s material to farm profitability and viability.

“Farmers must never forget that Silver Fern Farms and Alliance Group companies have combined revenues of some $3.5 billion.

“Put another way, that’s about 50 times the revenue of sharemarket darling, Xero.

“These coop elections are the farmer’s chance to be heard and to make things happen. Don’t pass on the opportunity,” Mrs Maxwell concluded.

ENDS

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