New Zealand FM to visit Sri Lanka over ban

12 August 2013 06:19 am - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Foreign Minister Murray McCully is likely to visit Sri Lanka next week to discuss its controversial ban on 39 tonnes of Fonterra's milk powder.

Sri Lanka's Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) reported the powder contained the dangerous fertiliser chemical dicyandiamide (DCD), which Fonterra and New Zealand scientists are disputing.

They say ITI doesn't have the technology to test for DCD, tests in New Zealand have been negative and farmers stopped using the chemical last year.

Prime Minister John Key says Mr McCully has been talking to the Sri Lankan authorities about the ban.

He expects Mr McCully will go to Sri Lanka at the end of the week after visiting China.

Trade Minister Tim Groser says Fonterra's competitors could be taking advantage of the botulism scare to boost their own products on international markets.

"There are certain dairy companies that have campaigned for years against New Zealand," he said on Monday.

"We do have enemies around the world and they will take advantage of opportunities like this, we just can't be naive."

The Sri Lankan ban isn't connected with the whey protein botulism contamination crisis which has led to worldwide repercussions.

ITI's results have been analysed by an independent and internationally recognised expert in analytical chemistry, Professor Brynn Hibbert, who found they were inaccurate.

"The preferred method involves detection by tandem mass spectrometry ... ITI did not use this method and so cannot conclude that DCD was in the samples of milk powder," he said.

Fonterra is also talking to the Sri Lankan government to get its product back on the shelves. (NZ Newswire)

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Comments - 25

Lpan Monday, 12 August 2013 12:26 PM

Fonterra CEO sorry for milk scare, denies cover-up

Shantha Tuesday, 13 August 2013 05:37 PM

Who cares about DCD or botulinum bacteria? This is a good opportunity to wean our people away from foreign milk powder. At same time we take a swipe at NZ who voted against us at UN. Two birds with one stone!

raviraj Tuesday, 13 August 2013 04:43 PM

what if NZ and Australia also decide to ban Sl tea??

siva Tuesday, 13 August 2013 02:04 PM

In China you apologize . In SL you refute our tests. Stop exporting RUBBISH to SL.

Sri lankan bull Tuesday, 13 August 2013 06:00 AM

Our fools supply money for New zealenders to have a healthy life.

Hello Tuesday, 13 August 2013 03:27 AM

Completely agree with len, China is indirectly trying to invade Sri Lanka, They have also taken our port , No one is bothered about that. We are trying to attack other western countries without addressing what is actually happening.

shanika Tuesday, 13 August 2013 03:20 AM

Who says its harmful, No it not , DCD is not toxic says the head of National toxicology centre , There were many articles on it.

pissu double Monday, 12 August 2013 04:23 PM

No, but money can.

Buddhika Monday, 12 August 2013 04:22 PM

Stop importing foreign milk powder brands!! Help local businesses rise up to that level!!

sanaboy Monday, 12 August 2013 01:58 PM

We also can send our PM to NZ for discussion... its a passion in our country

GONMJU Monday, 12 August 2013 12:59 PM

KUDOS TO JANAKA GUNAWARDANE FOR STATING A STRIKING TATEMENT :)

Kandula Monday, 12 August 2013 12:26 PM

Now, he WILL attach the CHOGM and international human rights to get the ban lifted.

ANTON Monday, 12 August 2013 06:29 AM

FIRST OF ALL MAKE PEOPLE AWARE THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DCD LEVEL IN THE MILK POWDER, SPECIFIED IN WHO REGULATIONS.

rosh Monday, 12 August 2013 11:59 AM

What about mervin, his son and a few thagaas?

rosh Monday, 12 August 2013 11:58 AM

There is no minimum. Its a total NO for this chemical

Janaka Gunawardane Monday, 12 August 2013 11:56 AM

I have talked to my Sri Lankan friends living in New Zealand. They say that their farmers stopped using DCD a couple of years ago. They had to stop it because China did not like it in their imported milk. But before that even New Zealand people had been drinking their own milk with DCD. They say that nobody died and nothing happened to them.
But the botulism contamination is a separate issue. Since it (botulinum bacteria) is dangerous Fonterra recalled all the products made of WPC80. But China got scared and they stopped all Fonterra products for a few days after the Fonterra's announcement. Nobody would know anything if the Fonterra did not announce it. They did the right thing. Human life is more important than their business. Kudos to Fonterra for handling it correctly.

rosh Monday, 12 August 2013 11:53 AM

Is he the foreign minister or just a sales executive for fonterra?

len Monday, 12 August 2013 11:40 AM

Really lal you think New Zealanders treating Lankans as sub humans. Ask convicted murderer Sri Lankan Viraj Alahakoon how well he was treated in new Zealand justice system. Don't judge the country by Fonterra problems. Lankans should be more worried about Chines Apples, Grapes and other fruits sold in Sri Lanka. And when government of NZ announced inquiry in to whole Fonterra afire one can be sure it will be done unlike Sri Lankan Dumind case.

lal Monday, 12 August 2013 10:53 AM

Our people our mainly poor but we don't want to treated by rich countries like sub humans to consume their toxic waste.

Samantha Bandara Monday, 12 August 2013 08:47 AM

No Matter............
We follow only China

Ranjith Silvar Monday, 12 August 2013 08:11 AM

This is a Court matter and anyone can not interfere on our judicial matters. You and more visitors welcome and listen to the court verdict, pls.

reader Monday, 12 August 2013 08:11 AM

lets do the local haka for him we can hier trinity player for that

kondebendapucheena Monday, 12 August 2013 07:37 AM

So can he change the dangerous fertilizer chemical dicyandiamide (DCD) positive to negative

Ane Anichchan Monday, 12 August 2013 07:10 AM

A sensible move. Otherwise they lose their business!

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New Zealand FM to visit Sri Lanka over ban

Comments - 25

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