Russia blocked Kiwi apples at port
It emerged last week that Chinese officials were blocking New Zealand beef and sheep meat from entering the country, apparently because of a name change on export certification from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority to the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).
All companies exporting meat to China are affected by the block, with hundreds of tonnes believed to be stuck at ports.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said he was informed of the issue a week ago, but he realised only last Friday, when meat industry figures began calling him, that it was more serious than he had believed.
Now it appears that the issue may have been wider than originally thought.
On Monday, MPI deputy director-general Andrew Coleman was asked whether any countries other than China had raised issues with the change in certification.
"No, they haven't at this stage," he said.
However, the ministry has now confirmed that in late March a shipment of apples was stuck at port in Russia for 11 days because of the same certification problem.
MPI acting deputy director-general Debbie Morris said Russian border authorities had not been informed of the change.
"MPI clarified the situation through the New Zealand embassy there and trade is back on track."
There had been "a small number of teething problems with the changeover," she said, without giving details.
Asked about Coleman's denial of problems, a ministry spokeswoman said the comment was the "best of his knowledge at the time".
Source: tvnz.co.nz