Synlait's back
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.
Synlait Milk is confident that its food safety systems and security standards protect the integrity of its products.
Managing director John Penno says that Synlait's systems are specifically designed to protect against threats, such as that announced today by the New Zealand Police and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
"Food safety and product quality is our highest priority. Our standards and systems reflect this," says Penno.
"We have full end to end supply chain control from farm to container for all milk powder and infant formula products. This includes quality testing of raw milk and comprehensive testing of finished product before it is loaded in shipping containers for export."
Existing security at Synlait includes a fully fenced site, electronic gates, and comprehensive Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) recording and swipe card access to critical key areas such as their nutritional plant.
Since becoming aware of the threat, Synlait has taken extra precautions to increase security. This includes 24/7 operation of on-site security guards, photo-IDs for all staff and contractors as well as site access and staff security checks.
"Our customers are informed and we do not expect significant business interruption from this threat to the industry," says Penno.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
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New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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