Tense wait for milk producers
tive Rod Quin said.
On Tuesday police revealed a threat to poison infant formula and milk products with 1080, in an apparent protest over the use of 1080 for pest control.
‘‘There has been some customer inquiry but nothing alarmist,’’ Quin said.
‘‘I expect that will get a little bit of momentum over the next 24 hours in terms of all customers starting to say, ‘OK, what is the risk to us?’.
‘‘I am also comfortable they’ll realise that the supply chain is secure, it is a threat that is being made and it’s a criminal act, and it’s not something that is a prob- lem with the New Zealand supply chain.’’
But the issue had the potential to be significant, he said.
Late on Wednesday afternoon, a spokesman for Westland Milk said: ‘‘We have had no adverse customer reactions at all at this stage. While there have been a few inquiries, there has not been anybody who has suspended or cancelled orders. And the level of inquiry is not high.’’
Synlait Milk boss John Penno spent much of Wednesday updating key export customers, a spokesman said.
Both Synlait and Westland have boosted security efforts.
Westland said it was told of the threat on February 10 and advised to review its security systems.
Penno said Synlait Milk had introduced security guards on a 24/7 basis, and staff had been reminded to be more vigilant.
Staff already used swipe cards, but now had also been given extra identification cards at a site that included a comprehensive testing system.
Quin said not a lot had changed, because infant formula production was under tight control anyway. It was more about staff being aware and vigilant in following security procedures.