By Libby Middlebrook
Northland Federated Farmers is threatening to sue the chairman of North Dairy Co-operative over one of New Zealand's most prestigious dairy competitions.
The controversial federation today gave Northland Dairy Co-operative chairman Greg Gent 48 hours to retract statements made about the organisation's Northland Sharemilker of the Year competition,
which is one of 12 regional finals to be held this year.
In a letter to shareholders this month, Greg Gent said the Northland competition was struggling to secure a sponsor and may not go ahead. He questioned the branch's ability to successfully run the competition and advised the Northland Dairy Co-operative would not be sponsoring the event, along with the Bank of New Zealand, which is the national competition's main sponsor.
Greg Gent could not be contacted for comment.
But Northland Federated Farmers president said Greg Gent's statements were totally unfounded. He said the branch was initially told it would not entitled to BNZ sponsorship because of its unusual affiliation to the national office. Northland Federated Farmers broke away from the national organisation's central administration system last year, but is still a branch society member of the group.
But he said the problem had been resolved.
"We are talking to a number of organisations about sponsorship and we don't expect to have any problems at all. We have also been given assurances from our national office that we will be entitled to BNZ's sponsorship.
"All this negative publicity and this letter to suppliers is purely designed to put people off entering."
He said the competition usually received about 30 entries each year, but the federation had only received one so far because of Greg Gent's comments. Entries close on October 18.
"If he doesn't respond in the correct way (and apologise) he can expect to be sued. "If we find the competition has been damaged in any way the blame will be laid at his (Greg Gent's) feet."
