Sharemilkers: Keep National Database With LIC

02 August 01

Sharemilkers have urged the Primary Production Select Committee to keep the national dairy herd testing database with Livestock Improvement Corporation.

The Sharemilkers were speaking to their submission on the Dairy Restructuring Bill yesterday.

Greg Maughan of the Sharemilkers Section, stressed the need to keep the database in the ownership and control of the LIC in order to preserve its value. The value must be protected if New Zealand dairy farmers are to get the benefit of a collective database.

"We have the most up to date and comprehensive database in the world and we do not want to see it diffused in any way, Mr Maughan said. Retention of the database is essential if the LIC is to retain its important role in the industry."

The Sharemilkers emphasised the need to strengthen the Bill so that access to database information is governed by a transparent process that would be subject to appeal.

The provision for sharemilkers to hold shares in the dairy company, regardless of whether they own a herd or not, was welcomed by the Sharemilkers.

"This is the first time that sharemilkers who wish to hold shares in a major dairy company will be able to purchase them from the farm owner," said Mr Maughan. "It is something we have been advocating for many years and we thank the Minister for accepting our argument."

ENDS

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