increase font size
Trade Minister Tim Groser and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy say officials are working closely with Russian authorities to provide the reassurance they need over our dairy products.
"Russia has formally notified New Zealand of a temporary restriction of dairy imports from 61 of the 83 dairy plants approved for export to Russia," says Groser.
"Overnight, New Zealand officials in Moscow have confirmed that the restriction is now also being applied by Kazakhstan and Belarus. As the three countries are in a Customs Union, this is not unexpected."
"MPI and MFAT, along with the New Zealand Embassy in Moscow, are working to reopen the market, including by meeting with key food safety and health officials in Moscow," says Guy.
"New Zealand was aware last week that Russia had concerns about the Clostridium botulinum incident. On 7 August MPI suspended Fonterra dairy exports to Russia so that we could work through their concerns.
"No potentially contaminated product has been exported to Russia, Kazakhstan or Belarus from New Zealand. However Russia has taken a precautionary approach, and we are now working to reassure the appropriate agencies of all the steps being taken by MPI and MFAT on this matter."
Total dairy trade to Russia for 2012 was around $106 million, and $310,608 for Kazakhstan. There are virtually no New Zealand dairy products exported to Belarus.
But Labour's Trade spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove says the Russian trade ban on Fonterra products is set to last until next year and may have been avoided if Moscow Embassy officials had been able to provide safety assurances to Russia.
"It is 10 days since Russia imposed a ban on Fonterra products yet Tim Groser has changed his position twice - first denying reports was a ban, before finally confirming it yesterday.
"The trade ban has been widely reported in Russia by state-owned media as being in effect since August 4. Yet Mr Groser denied there was a ban on August 6. He has now confirmed there is one. Where did the confusion come from and why was it not sorted out?
"According to the Russian Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection, New Zealand Embassy staff in Moscow did not address the watchdog's concerns in a meeting on August 7; four days after the story broke.
"No exhaustive answers were provided to questions posed by the agency. Given that there was no risk from Fonterra products in Russia it beggars belief that New Zealand officials could not provide safety assurances.
"Officials were too slow to reassure the Russians that there were no issues with Fonterra products. Russia now requires a new inspection of almost all New Zealand dairy products. This will not happen until next year at the earliest."
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
Tatua chair Stephen Allen says he leaves the co-op with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to its success.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
