Dozens of Dairy Farmers Reverse Decision to Cancel Campina Membership

07/12/07 Several dozen dairy farmers who initially cancelled their membership of Campina with effect from 1 April 2008 have now decided to stay with the dairy cooperative. These farmers reversed their original decision during an eight-week reflection period. This means that on balance, Campina will now lose 93 Dutch members, 79 German members and 17 members in Belgium by 1 April next year, together an annual total of approximately 100 million kilos of milk. After 1 April 2008, the cooperative will still have over 7,000 member farmers in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, supplying a combined total of three billion kilos of milk a year.

Campina regrets the fact that some of its members have decided to supply their milk to another buyer. Campina will however be able to offset the volume of milk lost after 1 April 2008, mainly by supplying less milk for the least profitable processing options.

Campina dairy farmers who wanted to switch to an alternative processor from 1 April 2008 were asked to give notice by 1 October 2007. They were then offered a period of eight weeks to reflect on their decision.

Encouraging and regrettable

“Department committee members, members of the Board and the Cooperative Council and Campina employees have all redoubled their efforts over the past few months to persuade the member farmers to reconsider. It is encouraging to be able to report that some have now reversed their initial decision. Yet it is regrettable that others remain determined to part company with their fellow Campina suppliers”, says C.H. (Kees) Wantenaar, chairman of Campina’s Executive Board.

Members’ interests come first

“We are focussing fully on the 7,000-plus member farmers who have continued to place their trust in Campina, which is second to none when it comes to protecting the income and market position of its suppliers”, adds Wantenaar. Not only do these farmers supply the milk, they also provide Campina with risk-bearing capital and exercise control over the company. This ensures that members’ own interests come first in the form of the highest possible milk price obtainable, combined with the benefits of continuity and a stronger market position. On behalf of its members, Campina is internationally active in the market for consumer dairy and ingredients, positions itself close to millions of consumers, and trades on the natural, wholesome properties of sustainably produced milk and dairy products. Whatever Campina earns through processing milk and selling dairy produce is repaid to its member farmers.