Farmers struggle with water and feed shortages
The drought in western parts of the North Island is reaching crisis point with many farmers from Northland to Taranaki having to truck in water and feed for their stock at great expense.
However, sources at the port have told Rural News Group that it belongs to American-owned company ADM, a relatively small player in the local feed market.
The 23,000 tonne shipment was blocked by MPI because it came from an unregistered facility not approved by the Malaysian Government. MPI says the importer has applied to discharge the PKE but that it must first prove the cargo is not a biosecurity risk.
At the time of writing ADM could not be contacted for comment.
Meanwhile the two main PKE importers – Fonterra and J Swap Stockfoods - have moved to assure customers that the non-compliant shipment is not theirs.
Matamata-based J Swap Stockfoods emailed their customers with this message yesterday: “We would like to take this opportunity to assure all our customers that this cargo and vessel was neither purchased nor chartered by Swap Stockfoods. Furthermore all palm kernel purchased by Swap Stockfoods come from MPI approved suppliers and meet MPI requirements. “
