New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern assures of 'Covid-free' meat exports, probe launched

New Zealand government is still seeking ditional information about a claim that COVID-19 was detected in meat products exported from country to China. New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, during a press briefing on Monday, said that government is still seeking more information on issue, but asserted that she is confident country is t exporting products with virus traces given its "COVID-19-free" status. 

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According to Rio New Zealand, Ardern has said she has been vised contrary to media reports that positive tests came from meat products from Argentina and t from products that exported from New Zealand. However, New Zealand PM also ded government is seeking more information and assured that y will get to bottom of issue.

confusion may have occurred because positive tests came from cool stor in eastern China that stored products from Argentina, New Zealand, and Brazil toger, as per reports. 

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"I want to get to bottom of this ... this is incredibly important to New Zealand. We are confident, of course, that our products do t and are t exported with signs of Covid on m given our status as essentially being Covid-free," Ardern said.

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Meat industry worried

Meanwhile, reports have struck a bell among members of New Zealand meat industry as y are worried that news might dam ir reputation and subsequently impact exports. New Zealand is one of biggest meat exporters to China as just last year it exported $3.4 billion worth of meat products to Asian nation. 

meat industry was one of first industries that came under scanner after COVID-19 pandemic hit world. industry brought unprecedented changes and introduced robust protocols to ensure COVID-19 doesn't spre in workplace. 

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(Im Credit: AP)