With only a few days until voting closes in Fonterra's Director and Council Elections Shareholders' Council Chair, Simon Couper encourages shareholders to exercise their rights as owners of the Co-operative and vote.

Couper expressed concern over the level of voting and said it is time for shareholders to ensure the Directors and Councillors they want to represent their interests are supported by getting out and voting in numbers.

"There has been a lot of talk in recent times about ownership and control of our Co-op. Voting for our Directors is our ultimate control right yet participation in Director Elections continues to fall," he said.

"This year's Director and Council Elections are one of the biggest in the 10 year history of the Co-operative. Despite this we have, to date, one of the lowest voter turnouts ever.

"We want to maintain ownership and control of our Co-op; therefore we must take responsibility and provide the mandate for our Directors to run it.

"I urge all farmers to demonstrate your rights and have your say in the future of Fonterra."

Voting closes at 10.30am on Tuesday, 15 November 2011 and results will be announced later that day via media release and on Fencepost.