MPIs failure to follow procedure compounded contamination incident

The report of the Government inquiry into the whey protein contamination incident released today shows that the Ministry for Primary Industries failed to follow established procedure in responding to the incident, the Green Party said today.

The report highlights that the Ministries response ‘did not follow either of its protocols exclusively’, and as a result ‘there was not the swift, automatic response that could have been expected if staff had used a single protocol they understood’.

“What is the point of establishing procedures to deal with these types of incidents if the Ministry doesn’t don’t follow them,” said Green Party primary production spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“It was a major mistake that staff with extensive experience and expertise were not included in the immediate response.

“The report also shows Fonterra needed to do more.

“It’s clear from the report that Fonterra’s failure to provide accurate and up to date information to the Ministry compounded problems within the Ministry.

“The Ministry needs to commit to regular training of staff, and simulations of incidents,” said Mr Browning.

For more information:

Link to the report: http://www.dia.govt.nz/vwluResources/Government-Whey-Inquiry-Report-November-2014/$file/Government-Whey-Inquiry-Report-November-2014.PDF

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