PM’s China visit assisted Oravida, not Fonterra

Questions must now be asked whether it was Fonterra or Oravida who really benefited from the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China, Labour’s Primary Industries spokesperson Damien O’Connor says.

“Before his departure, John Key said he would wait until all reports into the Fonterra botulism scare had been concluded before visiting China.

“Despite the final report “A” by the Government Inquiry into Whey Protein Concentrate Contamination Incident not being completed, the Prime Minister went to China and failed to achieve any progress for Fonterra.

“However, he has appeared on an advertisement for Fonterra’s competitor, Oravida.

“This is a company with deep links to the National Party and an unhealthily cosy relationship with Justice Minister Judith Collins, whose husband is one of three Oravida directors. Oravida has donated $56,000 to the National Party and has hosted a raft of Government ministers.

“While Judith Collins was dining in Beijing with Oravida executives and a Chinese border control official, Fonterra was struggling to rebuild its reputation in China.

“The Prime Minister failed to convince Chinese officials that Fonterra’s products are safe to import. China’s temporary ban on Fonterra base powder for infant formula and Fonterra whey powder remains in place.

“John Key’s smiling face promoting its scampi proves it was Oravida, not Fonterra, who benefited from the Prime Minister’s trip to China,” Damien O’Connor says.
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