Mexico corruption probe for NZ cows
The company which exported cattle from New Zealand to Mexico that were supposed to be sold to small farmers but instead went to the former governor has washed its hands of responsibility for their fate.
Javier Mata of Livestock and Agricultural Products New Zealand said he had seen reports about the June 2015 shipment, but that the company took no responsibility once the animals had been delivered. ‘‘We sold the cattle to the state government of Chihuahua, we delivered them. What happens to them after that, it’s hard for us to be clear because we have no more involvement.’’
Mexican anti-corruption nonprofit group, Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity, announced an investigation last week saying 900 of the cattle were kept on the ranch of the nowfugitive ex-governor Cesar Duarte.
A total of 3200 beef heifers were loaded on to the ship along with 35,000 hoggets as well as 620 pedigree sheep. New Zealanders were told the heifers would replace stock in northern areas recovering from drought. They were to have been bought by small ranchers with fewer than 45 cows, using government-financed loans to pay for cows they never received.
Mata said the cattle were to have been bought from a pool of money paid by ranchers and the state and federal governments. What happened between the state government and the farmers was not something the company became involved in.
He said the sheep shipments in 2015 and last year had been very successful. They followed an export of sheep in 2007, also to rebuild flocks after droughts.
A spokesman for Pacific Basin Exports, which ships livestock to the Americas, questioned why the story should be of interest. ‘‘What happens to the cattle has got nothing to do with us. Focus on the positive things.’’
A Ministry for Primary Industries spokesman said it did not have specific information about the matter and did not get involved in commercial arrangements. MPI’s role was to certify all live animal exports met New Zealand’s animal welfare regulatory requirements and those of the importing country.