New Zealand-based seafood business Sanford is in talks with Chinese authorities following the suspension of imports from one of its plants due to health concerns.
The New Zealand government is also seeking clarification from its Chinese counterpart after imports from Sanford’s Havelock mussel processing facility were suspended, as were deliveries from a facility of local peer Sealord Group that processes finfish and fishmeal for animal feeds.
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The suspension follows video audit inspections of the plants in late January by GACC, the Chinese authority responsible for the country’s imports.
In a statement, Sanford said China has a concern about ensuring that no risks are posed by any goods from any country being imported into China.
“The authority raised a number of queries with Sanford following the audit and has placed a suspension on imports from that plant while these are resolved,” the statement said.
“Sanford operates all our facilities to the highest standards of food safety. We have been adhering to New Zealand’s Level 1 protocols for processing and had put in place further requirements for the Chinese market.”
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By GlobalDataThe company said it does not anticipate a material impact on its operations or sales from the current suspension of exports.
New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) told local media the issue does not relate to Covid-19 transmission.
Around 35% of New Zealand’s seafood is exported to China, local media reports said.
