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The First Five years

The way ahead

The world of food regulation is constantly evolving. During its first five years NZFSA has responded through ‘NZFSA 2005’, a project to realign its processes, such as registrations, approvals and standard setting for both domestic and export market, and established itself as a stand-alone entity.

This evolution will continue as we keep pace with changes in our operating environment, both domestically and internationally. Some changes, such as new policies or legislation, are planned. Others, such as the sudden emergence of a new food safety hazard, are not. Either way, our organisation must be nimble and ready to respond.

Changes are driven by our key strategic goals, which drive a food regulatory programme based on:

• improved safety and suitability of food

• improved business opportunities through safe and suitable food

• consumer food practices and choices that support better health.

Achieving these goals will involve a very full work programme, including:

• implementing the Domestic Food Review

• reviewing the regulatory model

• implementing the ACVM Act Amendments

• aligning trans-Tasman food regulatory requirements

• implementing the Campylobacter Risk Management Strategy

• implementing the Emergency Management and Emergency Communications Frameworks

• implementing the Imported Foods Review

• implementing the Wine Act

• implementing the Market Access Strategy project

• implementing the Wild Food Review

• assessing mandatory and voluntary fortification of food

• implementing the Animal Feeds Review.

To do justice to strategic initiatives such as these and ensure we are ‘fit for purpose’, NZFSA will need to keep its own capabilities, structure and resourcing under review. In fact that process was continuing as our fifth year ended, as we brought NZFSA’s New Zealand Standards and Export Standards Groups closer together under one director.

When NZFSA was formed in 2002, its challenge was to bring together the many strands required to create an effective food safety system for consumers both at home and abroad. NZFSA has met this challenge with a new organisation, a distinct and evolving culture and value system, and a broadening network of strong working relationships.

After exactly five years, NZFSA separated from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). While its name, role and strategic objectives remain unchanged, the separation marks the growth of NZFSA into a highly reputable agency in its own right – one that no longer needs to be attached to its ‘parent’ to earn credibility.

Yet the change has been a pragmatic one. A five-year shared services agreement with MAF for contract management, financial services, procurement, payroll and information management will ensure the practical advantages of the previous relationship are preserved. We will also continue to work closely with MAF in areas of common interest: emergency responses, SPS and trade issues, animal welfare, live animal and germplasm imports and exports.

In a broader context, most of what we do in food is closely linked to the government’s primary objectives for the economy and public health. Our work is both to ensure that New Zealand consumers can be confident the food they eat is safe, and to assure our trading partners that the food we send overseas – some 80 percent of what we produce in New Zealand – meets the standards of our export customers. To achieve this it is crucial that we encourage open lines of communication through consultation with stakeholders, particularly with consumers, and by understanding the needs of our exporters, many of whom are small and medium enterprises. In addition to our ongoing relationship with MAF, we will also be working closely with other departments to help achieve these objectives – in particular the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (trade issues), Ministry of Economic Development (commerce) and Ministry of Health (public health).

Looking ahead, NZFSA can reflect on a productive first five years as it prepares for a busy work programme. While further change is inevitable, NZFSA will continue to use its experience, its capacity for strategic thinking and a positive ‘can do’ attitude to ensure the organisation is fit and ready for the challenges to come.

From the current Food Safety Minister

As my predecessor Minister Annette King outlined in the introductory pages of this report, NZFSA has achieved a lot in its first five years. I was given the Food Safety portfolio not long after NZFSA was established as a stand-alone department in 2007 and am excited by its challenging work programme. At the heart of this programme is the new Food Bill, which heralds a more modern, integrated food safety regime that can be applied across all sectors. It is based on a risk model that balances levels of risk associated with different activities, while keeping in mind the primary goal of protecting and promoting public health and safety (both here and overseas).

We all have responsibility for ensuring that we treat food carefully, whether we are preparing it at home, or preparing it for sale in a restaurant. Whether we are consuming food here or exporting it overseas, consumers need to be able to rely on a system that ensures the food New Zealand produces is safe and meets all acceptable standards. The same applies to imported foods.

NZFSA’s focus is the maintenance of these standards and education of both the consumer and industry. NZFSA has worked hard at communicating food safety messages to consumers and has a wealth of information about food safety freely available on its website (www.nzfsa.govt.nz). I encourage you to make use of it.

Hon. Lianne Dalziel

Food Safety Minister (2008)