The Ministry for Primary Industries has today made publicly available a package of information relating the criminal threat to contaminate infant and other formula with 1080 (Operation Concord).
The package provides detail on cross-government planning, response, advice and communication preparation.
Public interest in the threat was, understandably, significant and a substantial amount of information was provided at the time to ensure people were well informed about the threat, its implications and what actions they should take to keep their families safe.
Government Ministers, departments and agencies have received a number of requests for further information. In its role as lead agency for the response, MPI has been coordinating all responses to these requests under the Official Information Act (OIA).
Given the significant public interest in this issue, it is the government’s desire to be open and transparent with information held by government departments and agencies. The Official Information Act recognises that there are some instances where information has to be withheld based on the harm that may be caused by disclosure of the information.
As there is an ongoing Police investigation into the criminal blackmail threat, material has been withheld that could jeopardise the investigation or prejudice future responses or Police
investigations.
Information relating to New Zealand's trading partners has also been withheld to protect New Zealand’s international relations or to avoid prejudice to the substantial economic interests of New Zealand.
Commercially sensitive information relating to third-parties has also been withheld.
