Guilty plea over 1080 threats against NZ dairy industry
The 60-year-old man's name and company have been suppressed until at least mid-2016.
The businessman charged with blackmailing Fonterra and Federated Farmers has pleaded guilty to charges laid against him.
The 60-year-old man’s name and company have been suppressed until at least mid-2016.
He appeared in the High Court at Auckland today, after being charged with two counts of blackmail in the Manukau District Court in October.
The man admitted to making threats to both Fonterra and Federated Farmers in November last year, alleging infant formula intended for the Chinese market was contaminated with 1080 poison, according to the charges.
The controversial poison is used by the Department of Conservation to control pests such as rodents.
Court documents suggest the man was financially motivated.
Despite his guilty plea, the man is disputing the facts of what happened. A hearing has been scheduled for February next year.
The Dairy Companies Association has estimated the man’s threats costs the New Zealand dairy sector millions of dollars.
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Staff Reporter
Thu, 17 Dec 2015
Thu, 17 Dec 2015
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Guilty plea over 1080 threats against NZ dairy industry
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