Farmer charged with using plant pesticide on cattle

Food safety officials have laid 10 charges against a Northland farmer accused of triggering a large recall of New Zealand meat overseas by spraying his cattle with a crop pesticide, endosulfan.

"The alleged actions of one farmer in applying a plant pesticide to animals could have been nationally catastrophic," said New Zealand Food Safety Authority's (FSA) director of compliance, Geoff Allen.

The farmer faces five charges under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act and five under the Animal Products Act. The case is expected to be heard in the Waitakere District Court in April.

FSA investigators have said up to 10 countries took meat from cattle sprayed with endosulfan, a chlorine-based insecticide commonly used to control crop pests.

South Korea banned imports of beef processed by Affco Moerewa after finding 5 parts per million of endosulfan in beef from the Northland plant in September.

Mr Allen said that for the meat processor, its staff and farmer suppliers the consequences were "severe". And the incident had potentially put at risk the reputation New Zealand had for producing safe food.

He reminded farmers generally that they needed to follow rules, which were set for good reasons.

"Something that might seem harmless or like a good idea at the farm level could have major impact on New Zealand food exports -- something that's worth about $30 billion a year to New Zealand, and represents around half of the nation's income."

Mr Allen said the incident showed New Zealand's systems allowed for a speedy and full traceback of meat.

- NZPA