12 December 2013
Media Release
How we manage incidents still needs fixing!
While it is good news that the inquiry into the whey protein incident concludes there was no failure with New Zealand’s
dairy regulatory system it simply confirms what we already knew, said Michael Barnett, chairman of the NZ Infant Formula
Exporters Association.
“We do have world best regulations. We are world leaders in whey production. Within the terms of reference of the
inquiry to look into our dairy food safety system the report is a good outcome.”
However in our view the incident was never a failure of our dairy regulations. “It was a failure to manage the situation
and the reputational damage it caused New Zealand. This report will not fix that failure,” said Mr Barnett.
“I remain greatly concerned that our members were not part of the incident yet have ended up as collateral damage. Our
members’ products were taken off the shelves in China and I cannot see anything specific that will help get them back in
to the market and rebuild the confidence of consumers.”
Mr Barnett said he would like to believe that a further investigation being undertaken by the Ministry of Primary
Industries looking at the question of what happened and the regulator’s response in managing the incident might provide
some answers.
Meanwhile we need to get this good news into the Chinese media and officials channels with some urgency but also some
care. “I am a little concerned that even though there was no failure with our regulatory system we have nonetheless come
up with a report that has 29 recommendations – to improve a system that is already proven to be among the best in the
world. This could be misinterpreted.”
He agreed that an important step to restoring consumer confidence in China was for the Prime Minister and senior
Ministers to take this good news directly to counterparts in China.
ENDS