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AgVetLink Issue 64, October 2007, Special Issue on Regulatory Reform

From the Director

Regulatory control under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act 1997 is undergoing a reform to meet current needs and expectations (see background, page 2).

NZFSA has reviewed the regulatory role underpinned by the ACVM Act in light of the expected imminent changes to the Act and administrative changes including:

• establishment of NZFSA as a stand alone government department with responsibility for the safety of domestic/export food and food-related products

• identification of public health initiatives such as the prudent use of antimicrobial products to avoid the development of resistance and the vaccination of livestock to reduce the occurrence of certain diseases in people

• alignment with Australia in the areas of regulatory control of food, medicines, agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines

• evolution of administrative systems under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act that highlight the scope of activities and regulatory boundaries

• clarification of the interface between the ACVM Act and the Biosecurity Act to support New Zealand’s biosecurity strategy.

All these changes have prompted concerns that the initial operational interpretation of the ACVM Act is now too narrow to support regulatory activities at the interface with other relevant legislation and to achieve the more ambitious regulatory outcomes that have been set to meet the challenges of advanced technology and increasing flow of people, products, animals and plants into and out of New Zealand.

Therefore, NZFSA has embarked on the reform.

This issue of AgVetLink sets out the principles guiding the reform, the decision rationale, timing and focus. It also details changes to be implemented as a result of the ACVM Act Amendment and notifies a change in our product classification system.

Over the next twelve months AgVetLink will advise you about progress on different aspects of the reform and ask for your participation in consultation on initiatives and proposals. A specific area on the NZFSA website will be set aside to keep you informed.

NZFSA hopes you will participate in the reform process. We want the outcome to be appropriate, efficient and practical, and your input is appreciated.

Debbie Morris, Director, Approvals and ACVM Group