Gavan Herlihy
Opposition Agriculture Spokesperson
Tuesday 14 March 2000
Interests of dairy farmers must be paramount
The interests of individual dairy farmers must override the self-interest being exhibited by the directors of the two
major potential partners in the stalled dairy mega-merger proposal, National Agriculture spokesperson Gavan Herlihy said
today.
"The merger, estimated to increase individual dairy farmers' earnings by $12,000, cannot afford to be put in jeopardy by
blatant company 'patch protection'.
"If the two big players, the Dairy Group and Kiwi Co-op, cannot agree on their respective valuations then, in the
interests of the total dairy industry, a valuation must be done by a third party.
"I urge the Directors of the two big dairy co-ops to respond positively to the Chairman of the Dairy Board Mr Graeme
Fraser's call for the appointment of an independent external valuer," Mr Herlihy said.
Ends