The closure of Silver Fern Farms' Fairton plant has prompted questions about the government's support of the sale of half the company to Chinese interests last year.
It was revealed yesterday that Silver Fern Farms has proposed shutting its Fairton sheep meat processing plant near Ashburton with the loss of 370 jobs in a small community.
The Overseas Investment Office told the National Party that the Shanghai Maling buy-in should be approved, because it would result in increased investment, and substantially benefit the country.
Silver Fern Farms shareholder Blair Gallagher told Rachel Smalley Shanghai Maling has been calling the shots since it took fifty percent ownership.
"Shanghai Maling still appoint the CEO, approve the business plan, so we basically have lost control of what we feel is our industry," he said.