Monday 1 July, 2002
A two-thirds majority of the dairy industry is in favour of levy funding for industry good activities now that the
official vote is in.
In May, 60% of dairy farmers voted on whether they wanted to be levied for industry good activities. On the basis of one
vote each, 63% of dairy farmers were in favour and 37% against levy funding.
With those votes now weighted on the basis of milksolids production, the turnout figure moves up to 62%, with those in
favour rising to 67% and those against dropping to 33%.
Milksolids is the recognised method of measuring production in the dairy industry.
“The milksolids result gives us the two-thirds majority and the clear mandate from the industry we really want,” says
Peter Bodeker, chief executive of Dairy InSight.
“The individual vote was conclusive, but crossing the two-thirds mark for milksolids gives us enormous confidence in
carrying our programme forward. Milksolids reflect the production capacity of the industry and is a more representative
gauge of industry support.
“The other pleasing feature of this result is that larger herd owners, who represent large amounts of milksolids,
generally appear to have voted in support of the levy despite concerns that they may not.”
Chairman of Dairy InSight Alan Frampton says the board is delighted at this new result.
“We wish to thank the industry for such a decisive vote of confidence and providing Dairy InSight with such solid
support. We will be looking to make the most of it on behalf of all dairy farmers-,” says Dr Frampton.
Dairy InSight will be lodging its application under the Commodity Levies Act with the Minister of Agriculture after the
election.
(end)