Poison threat raises new concerns

Andrew McLeod, a Welcome Bay dairy farmer, said the impact of the threat 'could have catastrophic effects on the whole economy and farming industry'.

The baby formula 1080 poison threat has sent shockwaves through the Bay's billion-dollar dairy industry with farmers fearing it could have a devastating impact.

Threats to contaminate infant and other dairy formula with 1080 poison have been under investigation by the Police and the Ministry of Primary Industries since November, it was revealed yesterday, although tests have all been clear so far.

Read more here: Baby-formula threat terrifies mums
Farmer: 1080 threat economic sabotage

The Government agency tested more than 40,000 raw milk and product samples after Federated Farmers received anonymous threats in the mail, which included infant formula laced with the poison, which is controversially used to control possums and other introduced pests that infest New Zealand native bush.

The letters threatened to contaminate dairy formulas if the use of 1080 was not abandoned by the end of this month.

Supermarkets yesterday announced they would be putting extra security in place following the threat.

Welcome Bay dairy farmer Andrew McLeod said the impact of the threat "could have catastrophic effects on the whole economy and farming industry".

"In a year like this when we are not making any money it will put us back further and have catastrophic effects through the whole chain."

It was a massive concern as the low prices could fall further if New Zealand lost its reputation as a sought-after brand, he said.

Oropi dairy farmers Fiona and Shaun Kehley said they had been doing it tough on the lower payout and had to get rid of staff.

If it was another bad year "we won't survive," Mrs Kehley said.

She did not support the use of 1080 in New Zealand but said "why are they trying to punish anybody that is trying to make a living that has nothing to do with 1080 ... it's terrorism."

Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty vice president John Scrimgeour said concentrated doses of 1080 could kill. It was frightening for parents and created fear among consumers.

However, he hoped that most people who were purchasing in significant quantities "can see past the ridiculousness of this situation", which he likened to sabotage.

Bay of Plenty Rural Support Trust chairman Derek Spratt said the threats could not have come at a worse time for the industry and it could have a devastating effect.

Statistics from Dairy NZ show the value of milk production to the region in 2013/14 was $1 billion and the industry employed 2787 people.

Fonterra's current forecast for the 2014/15 season was $4.70 per kgMS down from the record payout of $8.40 in 2013/14. That plunge represented a $390 million drop in revenue for the Bay of Plenty, Dairy NZ said in September.

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dave Burnett said the 1080 scare could have severe effects on New Zealand's diary economy locally and nationally.

"The threat could severely jeopardise Fonterra's revenue of $22 billion, which would have serious consequences for the entire nation, as we know New Zealand is agriculture producing nation. Not only would it effect infant milk sale domestically but exports as well, there would be serious consequences if the threat was real.

"On a local level it would hurt, we know how reliant we are on the diary sector right through New Zealand."

The owner of Hamills, a Tauranga fishing and hunting store, said the threat was "disgusting".

"We're not fans of 1080 here at all but that's not the way to operate," owner Stacy Whiteman said.

"That's completely disgusting. There's no justification for anything like that."

While the store was openly opposed to the use of 1080 Mr Whiteman said he would never support such actions.

"That's a criminal act. There's no excuse for that," he said. "We absolutely do not condone that sort of thing."

Hamills store assistant Marcus Tweddell described it as "terrorism". "That's shocking. It's hideous. We're anti 1080 but that's disgusting," he said.