The manager of a livestock export company says Chinese importers are baulking at signing contracts with New Zealand and the country could soon drop off the radar as a supplier following the Ministry for Primary Industries ban on live exports.
MPI is conducting a review into the safety of live exports following the capsize of Gulf Livestock 1 two weeks ago.
All but three of the 43 strong crew, which included two New Zealanders, are unaccounted for and nearly 6000 cattle were lost.
David Hayman, is the managing director of livestock export company Genetic Development New Zealand.
He says the ban is threatening livelihoods.
