The Dunedin meat co-operative had offered to hold the shareholder initiated meeting on October 7, a month after its own special meeting at which shareholders will vote on a proposed merger with PGG-Wrightson (PGGW).
Meat Industry Action Group (MIAG) spokesman John Gregan said the October date was too late as the September 8 merger vote would have been and gone and there was no guarantee the 11 remits it wishes shareholders to vote on would be considered.
He wanted the shareholder-initiated meeting also to be held on September 8, three days after Invercargill co-operative Alliance Group has agreed to hold an identical meeting requested by shareholders.
Silver Fern Farms chairman Eoin Garden said holding the two meetings together was not practical.
"Our primary concern is the confusion that would arise around a vote on two quite separate issues, one being the PGGW partnership proposal vote, in which there has been significant investment of time and resources, and the other being matters that are non-binding and which can be considered following the outcomes of two other meetings."
MIAG was seeking industry consolidation through a merger of companies to create a Fonterra-type entity which would dominate the red meat industry.
Mr Gregan said despite a reluctance by some companies, shareholders still wanted to see companies merge to ensure the future of the industry.
"Only [Alliance chairman] Owen Poole isn't interested, assuming he has got the backing of his board, but shareholders have indicated they want this issue looked at."
