26 Nov 2008

Fonterra AGM

9:18 pm on 26 November 2008

Fonterra holds its annual meeting at Awapuni near Palmerston North on Wednesday afternoon.

Issues include falling milk returns, an unresolved capital restructuring plan and the state of its investment in China.

Following an announcement on Friday of a further reduction in the forecast milk payout, to $6 per kg of milk solids, suppliers will want some indication of where the price might head from here.

They are also likely to have questions about what Fonterra plans to do about its China strategy, after indciating it will probably have to write off its entire investment in the San Lu company, following its involvement in the melamine milk contamination scandal.

Farmers will also want to know where Fonterra is heading with a capital restructuring plan, which is currently on hold after farmers voiced their opposition to opening the company to limited outside shareholding.

Also on the agenda: Fonterra will outline a three year business plan; a vote is needed on constitutional changes for a new milk pricing mechanism; and the results of elections for three seats on the board.

Former shareholders council chairman, John Monaghan is challenging three sitting directors Greg Gent, Earl Rattray and Jim van der Poel.