Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has announced the start of a statutory review into the Fonterra regulatory framework under the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA).
The Ministry for Primary Industries has released the terms of reference for the review, which will examine whether the DIRA’s competition rules governing Fonterra are still necessary and delivering benefits for the dairy sector.
“The review will examine whether the DIRA’s current competition provisions that regulate Fonterra remain necessary, fit-for-purpose, and achieve net benefits for our dairy sector,” McClay said.
The review will consider whether the current provisions should remain in place, be repealed, or amended.
A final report must be presented to Parliament by June 1, 2027, and the process will include two rounds of consultation with industry stakeholders.
The DIRA was originally introduced to allow the creation of Fonterra and included additional competition measures aimed at supporting efficient dairy markets in New Zealand.
Those rules regulate aspects of Fonterra’s relationships with dairy farmers and competing processors, alongside wider competition laws already covered under the Commerce Act 1986.
Further information and the full terms of reference have been published by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Image credit: Carolian van Oijen
