OPINION: This old mutt understands that MPI and agri industr bodies had to do a fair bit of scrambling to shoot down rumours circulating about China shutting its borders to NZ and Australian products over concerns about foot-and-mouth disease.
The Australian Financial Review quoted a Chinese news report that Beijing had announced a temporary suspension of agricultural imports from both countries.
"We are aware of the rumour. There does not appear to be anything behind it," the Dairy Companies Association of NZ (DCANZ) said in statement.
Meanwhile, a representative from the meat sector described the claims as a "false alarm".
MPI also closed ranks with the industry with a spokesperson saying: "New Zealand exports to China are continuing as normal."
It is good to see a quick, solid and strong response from these outfits.