A Gippsland dairy farmer says the current Murray Goulburn (MG) chairman and board are not being targetted, in her push for an extraordinary general meeting.
Inverloch sharefarmer Bec Casey said she had spoken to about 200 fellow MG farmers, interested in triggering an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) for the cooperative.
“I have been overwhelmed by the level of support for an EGM,” Ms Casey said.
“After speaking with hundreds of farmers, it’s clear that the co-operative spirit is alive and well. We are quite close to achieving the necessary number of shares to trigger an EGM.”
But she said she had no plans to see current chairman, Phil Tracy, or the board, step down.
"No, not at all,” Ms Casey said.
She said it was within the right of shareholders to call for an extraordinary general meeting.
MG cut its milk price from $5.60 kg/ms to $4.75-$5kg/MS, after a downturn in global demand and continued higher dollar. It has offered farmers a loan package, to help them hold the price at a revised $5.49kg/ms.
Ms Casey said as MG was a farmer controlled co-operative, it was vital producers worked to protect it, in difficult times.
“An extraordinary general meeting is the right forum to allow farmers to have their say, ask questions, explore ideas and help direct the co-op,” Ms Casey said.
“Supplier meetings have been useful but the message at supplier meetings evolves over time and it’s important that supplier-shareholders can access consistent, minuted information.
A larger forum would also provide a central platform for MG shareholders to exchange ideas.
Ms Casey said waiting for the annual general meeting in November was not an option.
“The AGM is five months away but it’s important to deal with the issues facing MG and farmers now,” she said.
“The best outcome would be if MG’s board called an EGM now and, yes, I have discussed it with directors.”
A group of farmers and advisors were working on questions to put to the board at an EGM, that Ms Casey expects will be finalized early next week.
“The questions are being carefully drafted to avoid any risk of ambiguity and to enlighten farmer shareholders,” she said.
“There will be four or five fundamental questions, in relation to this event and what is changing at board and management levels so suppliers are not placed in this situation again in the future.”
Murray Goulburn suppliers interested in an EGM can email mgcegm16@gmail.com
