Florence Kuijer, Sjöbo who was elected to the board of Skånemejerier at the AGM in Lund on 22 April has decided to resign after just four days. She does this on personal grounds, since she has been threatened and her husband assaulted.
The incident took place on Monday 26 April when the family received an anonymous telephone call from a man who urged Florence to give up her seat on the board.
The man’s threats were of a xenophobic nature. Florence and her husband Willem Been are Dutch and have a farm in Vanstad in the municipality of Sjöbo.
Later that evening at around 8pm Florence’s husband Willem was attacked by five masked men who had entered the couple’s farm.
Florence Kuijer and her family were deeply shocked by what happened and have taken the threats seriously. She has, therefore, decided to resign from the Skånemjerier board, with immediate effect. The police have been called in and an investigation is under way.
Skånemejerier condemns attack
The board and management of Skånemejerier emphatically denounce such behaviour finding it totally unacceptable! That a family can be attacked like this in their own home on their farm is viewed by us as extremely serious. It is an attack on our democracy both within our association and our society.
Florence Kuijer was elected to the board in accordance with every democratic rule and as one of a number of suitable candidates proposed by the election committee. Skånemejerier wants Florence on the board for her expertise on how to run a modern dairy farm.
Skånemejerier is a company that believes diversity is crucial when creating a solid and profitable company. To be in any way associated with racist statements or abusive behaviour as well as threats and violence is totally alien to us.
- We have no suspects and there is nothing so far to indicate a connection with Skånemjerier, says police information officer Ewa-Gun Westford to Land magazine.
Skånejmejerier strongly condemns what happened and is now keeping abreast of the latest developments in the police investigation and awaiting its findings.
Malmö 29 April
Anders Olsson, Chairman Björn Sederblad, CEO