A select bunch of government employees should not be allowed to single-handedly destroy the most positive meat producing year for a decade, National's Agricultural spokesperson Gavan Herlihy said today.

"Our meat processing plants are currently processing $115 million of export earnings a week. The whole of New Zealand, not just the farmers directly affected, cannot afford to have these earnings put in jeopardy.

"The feared outcome of the flawed new employment laws, introduced by the Labour-Alliance Government, is now becoming a reality.

"The delivery of chilled lamb for the crucial Easter market cannot afford to be disrupted. New Zealand's export reputation must not be held to ransom by a small sector of highly paid Government employees," Mr Herlihy said.

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