It is not often that a prime minister travels to China to apologize on behalf of a private company that has sold a contaminated product (milk with traces of botulinum toxin). But these are the dangers of monoculture. New Zealand mainly exports food products, from butter to milk to meat and fruit, and its economy is hostage to these productions, in which – it must be said – they are the most efficient producers in the world.
Dairy products are sold by Fonterra, the world's largest dairy company, and its role as a symbol of New Zealand makes it a 'national heritage'. Charlie Wilson, a president of General Motors, said in 1955, "What is good for General Motors is good for America." This claim has been largely debunked, but it remains true in the case of New Zealand that 'what's good for Fonterra is good for New Zealand' (and vice versa!). It is therefore understandable how the prime minister had to run for cover.
It will be helped by the fact that, even if the image of New Zealand milk has now been tarnished, the Chinese also have little trust in local producers, after recent scandals linked to polluted milk.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2013-08/14/content_16892478.htm
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2013-08/14/content_16892620.htm
Attachments: china daily 1http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2013-08/14/content_16892620.htm
