Beef + Lamb New Zealand has narrowly succeeded in increasing its directors’ fees by 4%.
Last year, cash-strapped farmers voted down an increase but, at yesterday’s annual meeting in Rotorua, a resolution to increase fees was narrowly supported with 50.62% voting in favour.
That meant the director fees pool would increase from $401,500 to $417,500 a year which represents a fee increase for the chairperson to $83,320 from $76,220 and for each director to $39,250 from $38,110.
Director fees were last increased at the 2022 annual meeting by 3%.
The voter turnout represented 7.43% of registered sheep, beef and dairy farmers.
While low, it was not unprecedented and roughly aligned other industry groups’ processes, chairwoman Kate Acland said.
“We’ll continue to keep emphasising to farmers that it’s important they have their say on the running of their levy-funded organisation.”
Rangitikei hill country farmer Andrew Stewart ousted incumbent director Scott Gower, who stood for re-election, in the Western North Island director election.
sally.rae@odt.co.nz
