Fonterra says Gary Romano, the managing director of NZ Milk Products and initial public face of its botulism scare, has fallen on his sword

Fonterra says Gary Romano has resigned from his role as its managing director for NZ Milk Products with immediate effect.

In a brief statement Fonterra said its chief executive, Theo Spierings, had accepted Romano’s resignation.

“Gary has made a significant contribution during his time at Fonterra and we respect his decision,” Spierings said.

Fonterra said Spierings will assume interim responsibility for the day-to-day operations of NZ Milk Products.