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Food Focus May 2007

New Zealand Food Safety Authority

May 2007

Editorial

As I write, the State Services Commission (SSC) is investigating the issues relating to the potential separation of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. A report is expected to be ready for Annette King, the Minister of State Services (and for Food Safety) later this month.

Currently, NZFSA is a semi-autonomous body attached to MAF. The functions and powers exercised by NZFSA are vested in the Director-General of MAF who comprehensively delegates those to my self and the organisation.

This is a relatively unusual arrangement for a government agency and, five years on from our establishment, the Minister has asked SSC to advise the Government on the possibility of creating a new Public Service department administering food safety. The idea was first considered last year as part of the machinery of government review of NZFSA. This, more detailed advice on separation is the next stage in the Government’s process.

SSC has engaged an external contractor who is working closely with SSC, MAF and NZFSA staff on the project which includes a study of the scope and range of functions that each organisation would undertake and a discussion on the relative merits of separation, as well as the financial, legal and human resource implications.

Ms King says: “NZFSA is now operating as a highly reputable agency and no longer needs to be attached to MAF to ensure its credibility in international trade.” This is high praise indeed and we await with interest the outcome of the report. A decision on whether or not to proceed with separation will be made by Cabinet in mid-May. If the decision is made to proceed, it is expected a new department will likely be established from 1 July.

For industry and consumers of New Zealand food, whether they are here or overseas, any change is likely to have little impact. Already viewed as a credible and trusted agency, both here and overseas, NZFSA will continue to ensure it is well positioned and fit for purpose to achieve the outcomes sought by Government.

I will keep you fully informed on the outcome of the report, and information will be posted on the SSC website (www.ssc.govt.nz) and our own (www.nzfsa.govt.nz) as soon as it becomes available. Meanwhile, it is business as usual for us at NZFSA as we continue to draft legislation for the new Food Bill, participate in bilateral and multi-lateral talks to facilitate international trade, reduce foodborne illness across the country and provide you, the consumer, with the ability to make informed choices about the food you eat.

Andrew McKenzie

Executive Director