The Labour Party says government proposals to change raw milk
regulations are a "kick in the guts" for Fonterra farmers but
will make life easier for foreign investors.
Dairy giant Fonterra has attacked proposed changes to raw
milk regulations, saying profits will head overseas and it
will hinder rather than help New Zealanders get access to
affordable milk.
Fonterra has broken its record for the highest export month,
dispatching 246,000 tonnes of dairy products during December
and boosting New Zealand's economy by $1.3 billion.
Dairy commodity prices lifted 1.5% on Fonterra's overnight
online auction this week, clawing back from a price drop in
the previous sale two weeks ago.
Several independent advisers are examining Fonterra's Trading
Among Farmers (TAF) scheme to ensure it will preserve 100%
farmer control and ownership, as part of a comprehensive due
diligence process.
Dairy giant Fonterra will reduce its domestic milk price from
the end of the month and the savings look likely to be passed
on to consumers at supermarkets.
As could be expected, Fonterra's decision to supply free milk
to primary school children from next year has been greeted
with nothing but praise. So it should.
