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Eggs

The following provides information relevant to egg processors. 

All egg producers are required to have a registered risk management programme before trading any eggs, except those who meet all of the following requirements who are exempt:
(a) produce eggs for sale for human or animal consumption from 100 female birds or fewer (all species included); and
(b) sell all eggs that are intended for human or animal consumption direct to the consumer or end user; and
(c) do not sell any eggs to any person for further sale.

Waiver

• Waiver of the requirement to provide a copy of an independent evaluation report (Domestic) [PDF 52KB]

RMP

• Eggs - RMP template
• Risk management programme: principle categories of processing tables  AP49
• Information for egg producers about RMPs and other requirements
• RMP manual
• Egg workshops on RMPs
• Press release - RMP workshops planned for egg producers
• Further information on RMPs
• Evaluators of RMPs
• Application form for RMP

 Labelling

• Egg labelling

Amendments proposed to animal products exemptions and inclusions

Press release on exemption for certain egg processors /publications/media-releases/2005-03-18-eggproducerexempt.htm

What other related legislative requirements apply to egg production?

 The most important of these documents are the:

• Animal Products (Animal Product Transportation and Handling at Point of Export) Notice 2009
  • Coversheet
• Animal Products Regulations 2000
• Animal Products (Specifications for Products Intended for Human Consumption) Notice 2004 – all the front general sections are relevant and there are some clauses related to eggs processing later on. 
• Also the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code applies to all food.  Refer especially to Part 1 and Part 2.2.
• Animal Products (Export Verification Requirements) Notice 2009 [PDF: 108K]
• Coversheet
• Export verification programme - Animal Products [PDF: 108K]

What resources are available to help egg producers?

 NZFSA and the Egg Producers Federation have produced a Generic Code of Practice for Egg Production.  This gives information on each RMP component and then gives examples of RMPs for the laying farm and the packhouse.  Please note that this is guidance on “one way” of meeting the requirements.  Alternatives are acceptable so long as all relevant legislation is met and the programme is shown to be effective.  Legislation is clearly identified throughout the document.

• The egg Code of Practice is currently being revised.

What are the exact requirements for “barn laid” or “free range” eggs?

Such claims about a product are subject to the Fair Trading Act – which is administered by:

Ministry of Consumer Affairs
Manatu Kaihokohoko

and the Food Act - which is administered by NZFSA.

These Acts contain general provisions that make it an offence to mislead consumers. In addition to these provisions, an RMP must address risks from false or misleading labelling.

What are the requirements for Organic Egg Production?

Standards New Zealand has a standard for Organic Production (8410/2003) in New Zealand .    Refer to:  http://www.standards.co.nz/index.asp

Animal Welfare

Animal welfare is the responsibility of Biosecurity New Zealand. For information on the codes of welfare See http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz

How do I access NZFSA publications?

NZFSA publications can be accessed from the NZFSA Website

Hard Copies of NZFSA Animal Products Publications, please use the Contact link at the bottom of this page

Hard copies of legislation can be purchased from bookshops which stock government legislation.

Where can I find a list of publications?

Animal Products - Publications

Documents applicable to all Subjects

• Documents Applicable to all Subjects

Contact

nzstandards.query@nzfsa.govt.nz