Gavan Herlihy
Opposition Agriculture Spokesman
28 April 2000
Dairy merger positive for NZ industry
The New Zealand Dairy Board's move to take a shareholding in Bonlac Foods Limited, one of Australia's biggest dairy
companies, has been welcomed by Opposition Agriculture Spokesman Gavan Herlihy.
"To retain its international competitiveness, it's important that the Dairy Board continue to grow through shareholding
and joint ventures in other supply countries. The Bonlac initiative is a positive move for the New Zealand dairy
industry.
"With the trend towards aggregation of the world's major dairy supply companies this move will grow the New Zealand
supply base through its linkage with the Australian industry.
"The significant expansion of the marketing arm of the New Zealand dairy industry increases the urgency for the industry
to progress the integration of the production and marketing arms. It is in the interests of New Zealand dairy farmers
that the mega merger proposal not be allowed to drop off the agenda," Mr Herlihy said.
Ends