China has slashed the number of its approved New Zealand infant formula exporters from 13 to just five, authorities announced.

The reduction comes as new export regulations in China were implemented Thursday.

New Zealand's Food Safety Minister, Nikki Kaye, said she is positive that the remaining unapproved milk manufacturers will be able to comply with the new regulations soon.

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Companies exporting their product into China must now comply with new requirements and register with the Chinese Government starting today. In March, an evaluation of local baby milk manufacturers was conducted.

The five approved New Zealand manufacturers include Fonterra, Sutton Group, GMP Pharmaceuticals, Nutricia, and Dairy Goat Cooperative. According to the government, these manufacturers will make up 90% of the US $200-million yearly infant formula exports of New Zealand to China.

New Zealand's Prime Industries Minister, Nathan Guy, saw this as good news in general. He said they are now working on helping the eight other companies comply with China's new regulations as soon as possible.

Roger Smith, the Ministry's deputy director-general for China Relations, told the Herald earlier this week that the milk formula companies that are still unregistered by the first of May would not be able to export their product beyond that date.

However, Kaye said China had said other manufacturers could still register beyond May 1st if they complied with all the requirements given by MPI. The verification of requirements would be done individually for the eight companies. This would help expedite the verification process.

Last week, Kaye said there are around 50 baby milk formula companies that do not have their own factories. These firms, whose products are made by contract manufacturers, would have more difficulty complying with the new rules. According to Guy, a thinning out of milk brands would occur.

The new export rules and regulations are applicable to all countries exporting baby milk products to China.