- Print Friendly - Help

AgVetLink February 2003

Previous page  | Contents |  Next page

---

[from previous page]

supply chain, there are concerns that there is a potential for change and the flow on effect that this will have on the economics of rural veterinary practices and the rural economy. Many of the concerns are not able to be directly linked to the agreed ACVM Act thresholds and criteria. The VCNZ has advised that it will be giving advice to the Minister on this issue as it is required to do under its legislation.

The ACVM Group has brought these concerns to the attention of the NZFSA Policy team for discussions with MAF, and will also discuss this in the meetings with the Commerce Commission.

Consultation process

The revised draft policy was published on the ACVM website on 10 January 2003 with a close-off date for submissions of 28 February 2003. The ACVM Group expects that it will take about two weeks to finalise consideration of the submissions and revise the policy, but it could be longer depending on arguments presented and the outcome of discussions with the Commerce Commission.

A final version will be provided to AVMAC for endorsement and will be approved by the decision-making committee. It will be implemented by changing the wording of the conditions of registration and by advising via AgVetLink.

Who's who in the NZFSA : Programme Development Group

The role of the Programme Development Group (Director Steve Hathaway) is to develop risk-based programmes for food safety in New Zealand. These must include generic implementation tools that deliver agreed levels of consumer protection, be harmonised with international approaches, and facilitate judgement of equivalence in trading situations. Strong representation of New Zealand food safety strategies and goals in international fora is an important activity. There is a close linkage between the ACVM Group and the Programme Development Group, and a working relationship with most of the experts in the group.

Dr Roger Cook is Programme Manager (Microbiology). Dr Cook is charged with the identification, design, coordination and reporting on research and development programmes related to food microbiology that ensure continued scientific validity, competitiveness, and cost-effectiveness. Dr Cook provides extensive operational support to the NZFSA research and development programmes, with particular reference to microbiological surveys and the national microbiological database (NMD) meat industry process-control monitoring programme.

Dr Cook also provides consultation to the meat, seafood and game industries and associated organisations with regard to microbiological aspects of meat and food processing.

Dr Judi Lee is Assistant Director (Programme Development). Dr Lee is responsible for assisting in the development of HACCP-based food control strategies and the provision of technical expertise to stakeholders regarding design and application of HACCP-based programmes. Dr Lee also manages the Animal Products Group's development programme.

Dr Bob Boyd (a member of the Pesticides and Animal Remedies Boards for many years) is now part of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority. Dr Boyd is a Principal Advisor (Public Health Medicine) in the Programme Development Group.

Dr Stuart MacDiarmid is the most recent addition to the small Programme Development Group. Stuart is the Principal Advisor (Zoonoses and Animal Health). Stuart is internationally recognised as an expert in animal health risk analysis and BSE, and he brings a wealth of scientific knowledge to NZFSA.

As an expert in zoonoses he will develop generic approaches to their prevention and control in food both imported and produced in New Zealand, and will work in assessing risks and providing input to food safety standards for specific pathogens. He will also continue to work with OIE, bringing a new food safety focus to elaboration of OIE standards for animals and animal products in international trade.

 

Staff Update

In early March 2003, Jodie Trubshoe, Executive Man-ager (Business Services), will go on maternity leave for a period of 12 months for the birth of her first child. We wish Jodie and her husband all the best, and we are currently inter-viewing people to find a replacement for Jodie for this period.

In the interim, Sarah Smyth (phone 04 463 2553 or email sarah.smyth@nzfsa.govt.nz) is the contact for any finance-related queries.