Quote of the Day - 5 August 2013

Blogger, journalist and dairy farmer Ele from Homepaddock provides this quote on the Fonterra contamination affair:

If the Chinese have a word for schadenfreude, they could be excused for feeling it.
Our reputation for food safety has always been high and China’s has not.
That reputation is under threat and the way Fonterra has handled the issue hasn’t helped.
This isn’t just about whey and the products it’s been used in. It isn’t just about Fonterra.
This issue is about trust in our food and food safety and our biggest company has put that at risk.

We concur. This is a serious issue, and it is pleasing that Opposition parties are predominantly staying silent whilst the Government works with Fonterra to limit the damage to our international reputation; David Shearer has posted this on Facebook:

I know there are a lot of parents out there worried about the Fonterra scare. We have to make sure parents get the right information. Our top priority is the safety of our children here and abroad. We'll do whatever we can and we'll work with the Government to make that happen.

 That is good to see. No-one will benefit from a prolonged ban on our exported goods, and the consequences of Fonterra's must be swiftly dealt with. Consensus on that between the two main political parties will be helpful.