Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, Trade Minister Tim Groser, and Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew all gave reassurances at the conference attended by Prime Minister John Key who said the Government had decided to release information about the terror threat to poison milk products with 1080 because of media inquiries.
It had intended to release information about the threats and Operation Concord, which had been running since November with 30 detectives, closer to the end of the month.
The terrorist had threatened to make public the demands made if the deadline of the end of March for a ban on the use of 1080 poison was not met.
The threats were made to Fonterra and Federated Farmers in November when they received packages of milk powder laced with lethal doses of concentrated 1080.
“The Government is taking a criminal threat to contaminate food products very seriously, and is reassuring parents that our infant and other formulas are safe and that extra testing and security measures have been implemented as a further safeguard,” the ministers said.
“We would like to reassure New Zealanders that every step possible has and is being taken to respond to this threat and ensure the ongoing safety of our food products,” they said.
“While the police have advised the risk is low, we are taking this very seriously,” Guy said.
“Since the threat was received last November, the Police have been actively investigating while the Ministry for Primary Industries and other government agencies have been working closely with industry players across the supply chain to ensure that all New Zealanders can have the upmost confidence in these products.
“Every resource has been made available and we have treated this as a top priority.
“Ministers have taken expert advice on how to respond to a threat of this type and made considered decisions.
“The Government’s first priority is the safety of our food for consumers, both here and overseas.
“We are highly confident our products are safe and new increased dairy product testing gives even greater assurance.
“It’s hugely disappointing that someone would try to damage NZ’s strong reputation for top quality products and processes,” Guy said.
Groser said NZ officials had informed authorities in our major markets about the criminal threat and our measures in response.
Goodhew said NZ had a world-class food safety system which had been further reinforced by recent improvements.
“We now have a comprehensive new 1080 testing regime for dairy products that gives us a high degree of confidence.
“MPI has also analysed the supply chain in detail and worked with manufacturers to put in place additional security measures,” she said.
“This new testing is on top of our normal thorough testing, auditing and verification system.
“It is extremely unlikely that anybody could deliberately contaminate formula during manufacturing and there is no evidence of this ever having occurred.
“In addition, we have worked with retailers to address any risk to food products at the retail end of the chain.
“The advice to consumers is not to consume any food product that appears to be have been tampered with and report it to the Ministry for Primary Industries immediately.
“Any signs of tampering are easy to spot. Detailed information on how to check products and further information is available at www.foodprotection.govt.nz.
If parents or caregivers have any concerns they can contact Plunketline 0800 933 922 or Healthline 0800 611 116.
The threats were an idiotic and extreme protest that put our economy at risk, Labour’s primary industries and food safety spokeman Damien O’Connor said.
“Food safety and the health of children is the highest priority for all NZ’s food producers and exporters.
“While Labour respects freedom of speech, such threats are dangerous and will do nothing to help the protesters’ cause.
“Fonterra is a major player in international dairy exports and must be prepared for risks – real or threatened.
“Labour hopes the Ministry for Primary Industries has the resources to manage this serious issue while it also struggles to contain the Queensland fruit fly outbreak in Auckland.
“We offer our full support to Police investigating this blackmail attempt and urge the public to do anything they can to help identify the idiot or idiots responsible,” O’Connor said.
