The proposed strike action by Ministry of Agriculture meat inspection veterinarians highlights a need for MAF to consider replacement options, National's International Trade Negotiations spokesperson John Luxton said today.

"MAF needs to look at ways in which other qualified veterinarians could be delegated by MAF to carry out these important quality assurance services in a contestable manner.

"Agriculture Minister, Hon Jim Sutton, must ensure that the New Zealand meat industry is not held to ransom by 120 public service veterinarians.

"Strike action could do the New Zealand meat industry considerable damage in the international marketplace, as well as harming the incomes of farmers, meat workers, packaging and transport sector workers.

"Jim Sutton could resolve the strike threat by accrediting other local veterinarians to compete to provide these quality assurance services," Mr Luxton said.

Ends

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>