No evidence against beekeeping company in Iraq

There is no evidence of wrong-doing by the New Zealand beekeeping company Ecroyd Beekeeping Supplies, in the Iraq Oil for Food Programme says the New Zealand Government.

“JB Sales and Ecroyd sought and received the proper approvals and exemptions required under the UN sanctions regime and New Zealand law to export to Iraq.

“One of the companies (Ecroyd) told MFAT officials in 2002 that they had been asked to pay an additional 10% tax. After consulting with the UN, MFAT informed the company that this was illegal and they should refuse to pay it.

“Therefore, significant further information would be needed from the Independent Inquiry to establish whether there were any grounds to pursue a prosecution against either of these two companies under New Zealand's anti bribery laws. Volcker himself acknowledges that companies may not have been aware of illicit payments,” Mr Peters said.