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AgVetLink December 2002

Food Residue Coordination Group

The Director of the ACVM Group has the NZFSA-wide responsibility for coordination of food residue activities for the organisation. The Food Residue Coordination Group (FRCG) has been operational for several years now and includes members from the Animal Products Group, Dairy and Plants, Imported Foods, Domestic Food, Policy, and Codex Coordination.

One current activity, under the ledership of MAF Policy, is the development of a discussion document on the Animal Products Act to replace the current Meat Residue Regulations. It is intended that the document will also be replicated in the MRL standard in the future and will update many of the current MRLs for compounds used on animals. A number of changes will be incorporated; for example, where an MRL is estimated but has not been shown in the past because it was at or below the default, it will be stated. The terminology is also being updated to make it as consistent as possible with Codex terminology. The paper will be available at http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/policy-law/consultation/index.htm - if you are interested, you can register to receive email advice of updates to this section of the NZFSA website in addition to the ACVM section.

This is the first step in 'house keeping' the MRL standard. There is work being done on milk MRLs and we have a work programme to update the plant MRLs over the next one to two years.

Staff changes

Maree Zinzley has recently appointed Rowena Lee to replace Deborah Alexander in the role of ACVM Group Coordinator (Operations). Rowena will take over from Deborah (who is now an Advisor with the ACVM Group) as the main contact point for queries from registrants and applicants.

Rowena Lee

"My family and I moved to New Zealand when I was 13 years old. I grew up and studied in Taihape, where I learned to adapt to a whole new lifestyle on the farm and gained knowledge of the family beekeeping business. I have completed a Diploma in Business Services and Tourism (majoring in Japanese). I have also worked in Australia at the NSW City Registry Office. I enjoy travelling, arts/crafts, as well as outdoor activities such as skiing, tramping & native forest/bush walks. I have been in Wellington only for a short while, but feel I have settled in well and enjoy working as part of the ACVM Group."