New Zealand unites to tackle Fonterra crisis

The New Zealand Parliament united Tuesday in supporting the government's efforts to stem the trade crisis caused by the Fonterra botulism scare, but opposition parties said they would be seeking answers about the issue later.

Prime Minister John Key issued a statement in Parliament saying the Ministry for Primary Industries officials had moved swiftly to investigate once they had learned about the contamination.

Leader of the main opposition Labour Party David Shearer said his party was "standing alongside the government" as it worked to provide answers for parents and protect the country's export markets and international reputation from further damage.

"But when the time is right we will also demand answers," said Shearer, listing questions about the length of time it took to detect and publicize the contamination and other issues.

"We must work harder than ever to safeguard our valuable relationship with our trading partners, including China," said Shearer.

"They are right to be asking questions of us given events like the DCD scare and problems with meat certification."

Also on Tuesday, Health Minister Tony Ryall and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye launched a public information campaign to inform parents about the voluntary recall by the Nutricia infant formula brand of two lines that could be contaminated.

"Ministers are speaking regularly with food and grocery industry members regarding supply of existing alternative infant formula products," Ryall said in a statement.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Federated Farmers dairy chairperson Willy Leferink issued a statement headlined "Honesty is the only policy with food safety."

"As farmers like me own Fonterra, few people can comprehend how proud we are of what our cows, farms and company produce," Leferink said in the statement.

"There will be a reckoning, but now is not the time; the 'who, what, why, when, where and how' questions come later. Right now we owe it to our consumers here and abroad to give them facts and not speculation," he said.

"No matter how tough it may seem, being unambiguous, frank and accessible need to be guiding principles in how we communicate."