Dairy $ Matters Being Addressed

Dispute involves the local producer and local processor
FIJI CO-OPERATIVE DAIRY COMPANY LIMITED
SUVA
Unresolved issues between the Fiji Co-operative Dairy Company Limited and the Fiji Dairy Company over the finalisation of a Milk Supply Agreement will now be addressed.
This was confirmed by Tomasi Tunabuna, the director  of Animal Health and Production under the Ministry of Agriculture.
The issues reach back to 2011 when the diary industry was effectively separated into two operations-the co-operative as the producer, and Fiji Dairy as the processor.
Previously the dairy industry operated under one company.
Co-operative chief executive Sachida Nand said: “As part of the separation the farmers were told that the price to be paid for their milk would be decided by a Milk Supply Agreement.  The agreement has never been signed.
“This has resulted in FDL setting the price without input from the farmers and one that is highly in dispute.”
Mr Tunabuna said that the Government would bring both parties together to sort out their differences “for the wider benefit of the industry.”
He promised that while no date has been confirmed to bring the sides together, Government would do all that it can ‘as soon as possible to address the issue of milk pricing’.
Mr Nand said that the co-operative welcomed the commitment by Government.
“The Fiji Co-operative is comprised of 264 dairy farmers and their families.  They are the backbone of the dairy industry. And these are trained farmers essential to the sustainability of the industry.
“We want them to succeed.  We want them to increase their productivity and we want to encourage them with a fair and equitable milk price for their efforts,” said Mr. Nand.
Feedback:  rachnal@fijisun.com.fj