标题: Crackdown on illegal export of infant formula [打印本页] 作者: sunmarty 时间: 2012-9-28 22:12:34 标题: Crackdown on illegal export of infant formula
New Zealand officials are working together to prevent theillegal export of infant formula from New Zealand.
The unlawful trade is estimated to be valued in excess of $150million and Customs and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)officials say it is growing.
MPI Food and Beverage Manager Glen Neal says there has been aconsiderable increase in the exports, particularly into the Asianarea.He said there are a number of players involved and the firststep was to inform them about the rules and their need tocomply.
Some people may not be aware they are operating outside the law,said Neal.
"This has nothing to do with the safety of New Zealand infantformula.
"In fact, New Zealand infant formula is highly regarded andsought after in our export markets."
China's Melamine milk scandal in 2008, which saw six babies dieand thousands fall ill, was followed by an increase in demandfor New Zealand's more reliable product.
Under New Zealand law (Animal Products Act 1999) only registeredexporters can export dairy material, including products such asinfant formula.
Exporting infant formula is worth over $750 million a year tothe NZ economy, but it's not just bigger operations trying to makea profit. Some people are buying in bulk in supermarkets and sending theformula to relatives overseas, meaning stores are running low onstock, prompting some to impose limits on the amount people canbuy.
"In some cases New Zealand parents have been complaining thatthey need to travel to four or five supermarkets to find a stock offormula," says Katherine Rich from the Food and GroceryCouncil.
Meanwhile, the group representing New Zealand marketers andmanufacturers of infant formula is welcoming the crackdown.
Infant Nutrition Council CEO Jan Carey says it's important NewZealand's reputation is protected as a reputable source of infantformula products. And she says it's important China understands that New Zealandwill do the right thing, rather than getting products through theback door. Carey says she understands most of the illegal trade is due toignorance rather than deliberately flouting the rules.作者: sunmarty 时间: 2012-9-28 22:13:44
