Tuesday, 01 December 2015 10:13

Name infected berries - O’Connor

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

The Ministry for Primary Industries must name the imported berry products linked to Hepatitis A and recall them, says Labour's Primary Industry spokesman Damien O'Connor.

"It is not good enough to just warn people to boil the berries before eating them. Thousands of people every day around the country are drinking smoothies full of berries," says O'Connor.

"Hepatitis A is particularly dangerous for the elderly and those with chronic liver damage."

O'Connor says the Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy must seek urgent answers from his ministry over its handling of imported frozen berries linked to a Hepatitis A outbreak.

"Australian officials recalled important frozen berries there in February. Nathan Guy must explain why – when there is a joint Australasian approach to food safety – the same wasn't done here," he says.

"This latest scare is yet again proof that Labour is right to call for the return of a stand-alone food safety agency."

More like this

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut under the Government's plan to reduce the public service.

Farmers fined for cattle abuse

A Waikato cattle farming family have been fined $23,000 for failing to provide sufficient food and care for their animals, resulting in more than half a dozen animal deaths.

Levy approval sought

A series of apple and pear grower meetings are being held around the country.

Crazy

OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.

More!

OPINION: As this old mutt suggested in the last issue, MPI looks a very good candidate for some serious public sector savings that the government is currently looking for.

Featured

Feds claiming 'some real success' on policy front

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.

Feds back Fast-Track Approval Bill

Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.

Lamb returns forecast to remain low

The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.

First harvest of table grapes - the 'king of fruit'

Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.

Machinery builder in liquidation

In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.

Two hemispheres tied together through cows

One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.

National

Free workshops to bolster farmer financial skills

Free workshops are being offered around the country to help farmers take more ownership of their farm business finances.

Ploughing Champs success

Sean Leslie and Casey Tilson from Middlemarch, with horses Beau and Dough, took out the Rural News Horse Plough award…

Farmers oppose work visa changes

Farmers are crying foul over changes announced by the Government this week to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.

RWNZ chief executive to step down

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.

Millers scoop Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Financial and environmental stewardship has helped the Miller family of Roslyn Downs take out the Regional Supreme Award at the…

Machinery & Products

PM opens new Power Farming facility

Morrinsville based Power Farming Group has launched a flagship New Zealand facility in partnership with global construction manufacturer JCB Construction.