Money traders before meat traders - Government

The Government has once again been caught with its pants down on trade with China, says Damien O’Connor, Labour spokesperson on primary industries.

“Hundreds of tonnes of meat are sitting on a wharf in China waiting for right name to be put on documents from the Ministry of Primary Industries to satisfy Chinese customs officials.

“The Government’s enthusiasm and determination to restructure major government agencies has led to this confusion and the simple requirement for correct customs certification has obviously been overlooked by officials in the new Ministry of Primary Industries.

“National has sat on this issue for almost a month when it should have moved swiftly to rectify the problem, reassure the meat industry and satisfy the Chinese Customs Service.

“This debacle comes on the back of the inadequate way the DCD scare was handled by the Government and further mismanagement will no doubt raise questions about our reputation as an efficient export country.

“John Key and his Government are more focused on the interests of money traders rather than the needs of meat traders who, along with farmers, drive our export economy,” says Damien O’Connor.
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