Blueberry growers have voiced concerns over the prospect of New Zealand relaxing its food import rules following an E.coli outbreak in the US.

The outbreak has been linked to a shipment of frozen berries in Chile.

The growers fear that MPI changes to berry imports could also bring new pests or diseases onto New Zealand shores.

One grower, Dan Peach, says MPI hasn't considered the risks involved in making these changes.

"It's not a question of if it's going to happen, it's a matter of when - and how much is tolerable. And that's where risk-based assessments need to be looked at, on a case-by-case basis." 

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Blueberry growers have voiced concerns over the prospect of New Zealand relaxing its food import rules following an E.coli outbreak in the US.
The outbreak has been linked to a shipment of frozen berries in Chile.
The growers fear that MPI changes to berry imports could also bring new pests or diseases onto New Zealand shores.
One grower, Dan Peach, says MPI hasn't considered the risks involved in making these changes.
"It's not a question of if it's going to happen, it's a matter of when - and how much is tolerable. And that's where risk-based assessments need to be looked at, on a case-by-case basis."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Dan Peach: blueberry grower on why the US E.coli outbreak proves NZ shouldn't relax restrictions

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f431c828-ea51-4b53-801d-b4810069c91b/transcript