Biosecurity award for M. bovis work
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
Since news of the 1080 threat broke, supermarkets have ramped up security. The threat stemmed from anonymous letters sent to Fonterra and Federated Farmers in November saying infant formula products would be laced with 1080 pesticide at the end of March unless the Government ceased using the poison.
Consumers were also asked to report any cans that look damaged or tampered with to authorities. Police says several cans of infant formula were handed over by concerned consumers.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) deputy director-general, Scott Gallacher thanked New Zealanders for their continued vigilance in checking infant and other formula products they purchase for signs of suspected tampering.
"The parents who reported the suspected tampering are to be commended for immediately reporting this to Police," he says.
Gallacher says that MPI remain confident in the safety of New Zealand infant and other formula says that it is "just as safe today as it was before this threat was made."
However, he added, people should continue to be vigilant when buying infant and other formula by checking all product for tampering.
Information on how to check for tampering is available on MPI's leaflet at www.foodprotection.govt.nz and available in local supermarkets.
"We would like to reassure all parents and caregivers in New Zealand and overseas that everything is being done to ensure New Zealand infant formula bought from stores is safe and secure."
