Takeover bid?
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait is showing no sign of bouncing back from its financial doldrums.
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.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.