Simon Couper resigns on principle

Federated Farmers is saddened to see Fonterra Shareholders’ Council chair, Simon Couper, has resigned effective immediately.

“Simon is a man of honour and it speaks volumes that he stuck to his guns under what is an intense pressure cooker environment,” says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson.

“That’s something I know only too well. The lobbying is frankly unbelievable from all sides.

“Simon is a hard working and intelligent man who believes strongly in Fonterra as a 100 percent farmer controlled cooperative.  According to BusinessDesk, he told them, "one hundred percent is 100 percent and in my view, we didn't get there”.

“He also added in the BusinessDesk interview, “100 percent ownership and control was something I stood for and believe that we needed to deliver…I do not feel the controls are in place to deliver that".

“What we desperately need are cold hard facts about the value proposition Trading Among Farmers offers to farmer-shareholders,” Mr Leferink concluded.