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Implementing the outcome of NZFSA’s Animal Feeds Review

30 October 2007

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«Add1»
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Dear Sir or Madam

The government has agreed to a number of changes to the way certain secondary processors of pet food are regulated. Pet food means any material prepared and traded as food for cats or dogs, and includes any such product intended for cats or dogs but fed to other pets or captive animals. The decision to change the requirement was made following a public consultation process undertaken by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) between August and October 2006. Information relating to NZFSA’s review of regulation of animal feed, including pet food is available on the NZFSA web site at http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/policy-law/consultation/animal-feeds/index.htm, where you will find the discussion document and associated information paper. The outcome of this review is that secondary pet food processors of animal material for pet food resulting from the death of the source animal (e.g. red meat, offal, poultry or fish), that are:

• regulated under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997 (ACVM Act 1997); and

• currently exempted from additional control mechanisms under the Animal Products Act 1999 (Animal Products Act)

be removed from being exempt from additional control mechanisms of the Animal Products Act. This exemption would be replaced by Specifications, issued by NZFSA, which would require processors to only procure animal material from regulated sources (and maintain prescribed documentation to demonstrate compliance with this) and list annually with NZFSA.

To ensure that NZFSA have an up-to-date list of pet food processors that are affected by these changes we are writing to you as we believe you may be an affected party.

Are you affected by these changes?

Operators that are affected by this Review are secondary pet food processors of animal material for pet food resulting from the death of the source animal (e.g. red meat, offal, poultry or fish) except for:

a. operators whose processing is limited to the rendering and/or blood drying of mammal or bird material for trade [a risk management programme is required for this activity]; or

b. operators who export any product, where it requires official assurances [a risk management programme is required for this activity]

If you receive raw animal material and further process it you will be affected. However, if the only animal material you process is received in a rendered state (meat and bone meal, fish meal etc.) then you will not be affected. If you do not fall into the category of affected processors can you please advise NZFSA by:

• noting this on this letter and returning it in the envelope provided; or

• emailing Lennox Vellekoop at lennox.vellekoop@nzfsa.govt.nz

NZFSA will then remove you from our mailing list and you will not receive further correspondence.

If you are unsure if you are affected by these changes please contact:

Lennox Vellekoop
Programme Manager (Animal Products)
New Zealand Standards
NZFSA
PO Box 2835
Wellington
Ph: 04 894 2632
Fax: 04 894 2643
lennox.vellekoop@nzfsa.govt.nz

Operators not affected by these changes

The changes do not affect secondary processors using material from live animals (such as dairy products, eggs and honey) and/or material derived from plants only, for pet food, or secondary processors required to have a risk management programme (because they are undertaking rendering of the product and/or require export official assurances).

Operators that are not affected by this Review are:

a. retailers who sell food for human consumption (and therefore are subject to the Food Act regime), and who make animal material voluntarily available for pet food (e.g. because it is surplus stock); or

b. retailers whose main business is selling products or services for animals other than pet food and who sell pet food incidental to the main business activity, (e.g. pet shops and veterinary clinics who sell pigs ears and dog chews), provided no processing is undertaken other than packaging it for the consumer.

Implementing the Outcome

NZFSA has undertaken initial work on the implementation tools necessary for implementing the outcome of the Animal Feeds Review. If you wish to be involved in the process of developing these tools please contact Lennox Vellekoop, at the contact details provided above.

As the development work continues you can expect to receive further information.

Yours faithfully

Judy Barker
Assistant Director (Production & Processing)

New Zealand Standards Group