Palm kernel denied entry into NZ

The Molat will not be permitted to discharge 23,000 tonnes of palm kernel valued at $6 million in New Zealand. File Photo.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has denied a vessel carrying 23,000 tonnes of palm kernel to discharge its cargo in New Zealand.

The bulk carrier Molat has been at anchor off Mount Maunganui for more than a month after it was discovered the importer could not confirm the $6 million cargo, which originated from an unregistered PKE facility in Malaysia, was pasteurised.

Today's decision comes after the MPI considered an application from the importer to have the PKE treated in New Zealand.

'We spent a lot of time assessing whether there was a solution that would meet biosecurity requirements, but unfortunately nothing ticks all the boxes in terms of mitigating the risk of pests and diseases entering New Zealand,” says MPI Border Clearance Services Director Steve Gilbert.

MPI considered the amount of product involved, the availability of heat treatment facilities in the region, transport and storage.

'My decision ensures that potentially contaminated PKE will not enter New Zealand,” says Steve.

MPI has strict biosecurity requirements for importing PKE. They include heat processing to least 85 degrees and that foreign facilities be approved and regularly audited by the exporting country.

'MPI has a lead role in protecting New Zealand from biosecurity risk. It's a job we take very seriously.”

Palm kernel extract is a byproduct of the palm oil industry and is New Zealand is fed to dairy cows. It is produced at high temperatures, which reduces the biosecurity risk. The main biosecurity risk is contamination from insects or pests after production.

The Import Health Standard for PKE requires that for each consignment, certification and assurances are provided to state that:

  • The PKE has been heat processed to at least 85 degrees Celsius.
  • The PKE is stored in factories dedicated to the processing of the palm fruits and kernels, and kept clean and free of potential contamination following production.
  • Official documentation with specific statements from the exporting country attesting to handling, storage and inspection of the product post production and inspection of the product prior to export are required.
  • An inspection of the product has been carried out prior to export, and
  • Fumigation is undertaken prior to or during shipment for all consignments.

In addition, PKE can only be imported from facilities approved and regularly audited in the exporting countries.

An earlier report stated the Molat was in North Sumatra on April 5 before making port in Malaysia. That could link the cargo to "highly controversial" palm oil plantations in North Sumatra that are linked to orangutan habitat destruction.

Statistics NZ figures show PKE imports peaked in the year to June 2015 at 1.94 million tonnes before falling to 1.86m/t in the year to June 2016.

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5 comments

Good call

Posted on 18-10-2016 11:29 | By mutley

by MPI. What is the NZ company behind this shipment ?


Excellent

Posted on 18-10-2016 11:49 | By Active

Well done MPI. Very good . It will hopefully put the message out that all imports of this product MUST comply. While the process in making Palm Oil will kill Foot and Mouth disease especially if it reaches 85c it is the storage afterwoods as pointed out is of concern. Not just to keep insect pests out. You would not want it in a storage along side Water Buffallo hides etc. and forkhoists moving about. Still would be very good move to have full time New Zealand inspector in exporting country doing the audits and signing the certs. Would be cheap insurance [user pays] .


@ Active

Posted on 18-10-2016 19:03 | By GreertonCynic

Hit the nail on the head. Cheap insurance indeed, but with the current government cutting border security funding, will it ever happen?


Agree with Decision

Posted on 18-10-2016 19:59 | By Jitter

However why did it take NZ authorites so long to make the decision ?


Two days later...

Posted on 19-10-2016 06:30 | By Resident1

Why is it still here...?


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