Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited supports the action taken by Ravensdown & Ballance Agri-Nutrients to voluntarily suspend sales and use of dicyandiamide (DCD) in the land treatment cultivo.Las fertilizer companies announced today the suspension of sales and use of DCD after identifying very low levels of the substance in some test samples in dairy products.«We have been assured by the New Zealand regulatory authority – the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) – there is no food safety risk. However, residues of agricultural products the DCD may have a trade problem in the future, «said the managing director of Cooperative Affairs Todd Muller.
«Although the DCD was a promising option to reduce nitrate leaching, it is essential to keep the business reputation of New Zealand. The voluntary suspension is responsible attitude in the absence of internationally agreed standards for DCD residues in food, «said
Muller.
Fonterra will participate in a working group set up by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) to review and discuss the terms and sleep modes in the future utilization of DCD in agriculture, including the impact on water quality requirements.
For its part, the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) adhered to voluntarily suspend suspend ad sales and use of dicyandiamide (DCD) in the treatment farmland.
The Director General of the Ministry attached rules of Primary Industries (MPI), Carol Barnao, made a series of observations on the matter: «The crux of this is that there is no international standard established for residues in food DCD. This is because DCD has not been considered to have an impact on food security »
«Because there is no standard, the presence of detectable residues in milk DCD may be unacceptable to consumers and our international markets, even in small amounts found in recent tests. Food regulators worldwide are reflecting market demands with increasingly stringent tests and, in some countries there is a zero tolerance for residues detected outside of the agreed rules. The DCD has been used in the agricultural development of New Zealand in a unique and innovative and MPI has supported its development to address major environmental problems »
«New Zealand’s reputation is based on the high quality of the food we produce, so the MPI is working in all areas with primary producers to manage potential concerns for our markets and consumers»
Source:Â Fonterra Communications