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Food Focus August 2007

The road ahead

After citing a desire for new challenges when announcing his departure from NZFSA in December last year, Dr Andrew McKenzie’s new role as Acting Chief Executive of the separate department is already giving him much to think about

Andrew McKenzie is not wasting any time in enhancing the positive and responsive culture within the new stand-alone organisation that will see it champion a flexible, pragmatic and simplified approach to food safety regulation.

“Although we have had five years since we were established as a semi-autonomous body attached to MAF, there is now plenty to do to ensure that NZFSA becomes firmly established as a stand-alone public service department.”

He says he is comfortable with the way the organisation’s major domestic, imported and wild food reviews are progressing to further consumer interests in public health and safety.

“Equally, our strategic goals of providing a food regulatory programme that maintains and enhances New Zealand’s international food trade and protects and promotes consumer health, make up the bread and butter of our everyday work.”

Now, though, he has small food producers in his sights in his efforts to ensure New Zealand’s regulatory programme remains simple, effective and offers such businesses ‘the best bang for their bucks’.

Dr McKenzie is looking to initiate a major review of the ways in which NZFSA works to smooth the progress of access to overseas markets, from a small food business perspective.

The proposal will come as no surprise to those who are familiar with Dr McKenzie’s outcome-focused work ethic. His dislike of bureaucracy for its own sake has gained him a far-reaching reputation as a commonsense regulator who prefers actions to words.

“These small food businesses employ thousands of Kiwis and play an important role in our lives. By growing and expanding they have the potential to become a part of our external economy which is important for New Zealand, and for our future.

“I want to make certain that NZFSA is doing all it can to help those who want to export do so in a way that frees them from unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape. Equally, I want to ensure they understand what’s involved at every stage.

“It’s a big step from running a successful business selling pies in Wellington to exporting to European markets. Some people think it should be simple but the fact is the European Union – or any other overseas market – is not in the business of helping New Zealand’s small food operators. It simply doesn’t work that way.

“I want to make sure these businesses understand the environment we work in and are able to make informed decisions about going into the export market.

“Many are unaware of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement which we’ve had in place with Australia for nearly 10 years. It allows for any New Zealand-produced food that meets New Zealand standards to be sold in Australia.

“This immediately opens up a huge market of some 20 million additional customers. The set-up costs aren’t that great and it provides food businesses with an opportunity to dip their toe into the export market before they consider going further afield.

“This review will give me an indication of whether the regulatory framework that we currently have in place to facilitate market access for small businesses is as streamlined as it could be. Is it harder than we think for them to get a foot in the door? Are we deluding ourselves that we’re providing the best type of service? Hopefully the review will give us the answers and point us towards a better way of communicating and facilitating business’s aspirations in this area.”

Simple, pragmatic and sensible are words that pepper Dr McKenzie’s conversations about the regulatory environment and foster his enthusiasm for minimising compliance issues.

Stopping mid-sentence to explain another idea, there’s a sharp intake of breath as he considers the subject and then continues: “Can you imagine what it’s like for those who, say, run a bar and restaurant with a few pokie machines? They have to comply with several different regulators to cover their food, alcohol, gambling and OSH obligations. Why can’t regulators develop an integrated system that allows the business owner to compile all that necessary information in one place, so they can then just log on and extract the data relevant to them? We live in the information age, don’t we? It can’t be that hard …”

He labels the proposal “a bit of a pipe dream at present”, but adds: “Now that we’re a separate department we have the opportunity to move ahead with ideas like these and look at making them work. We come to the table on an equal footing with other regulators and with an equal voice. The opportunity that creates presents a huge and very exciting challenge.

“If we can make our ideas work there will be a lot of happy people out there, and New Zealanders will all be better off. It may not all be achievable, but if you don’t try to reach for the stars, you’re never going to catch one.”

Changing times

Annette King, Minister of State Services (and for Food Safety) and Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton announced Government’s plans for NZFSA to become a stand-alone government department in May. ”The new department will continue to protect and promote public health and safety in relation to food and food-related products, and to develop economic opportunities by facilitating access to international markets for these products”, said Mr Anderton.

Murray Sherwin, Director General of MAF, says: “This separation is an important milestone, as is the pioneering new shared services arrangement that will be in place. When Andrew McKenzie and I signed the relationship documents between the two departments, we were committing to a close future partnership built on high-quality, professional cooperation.”

Annette King (pictured above with Andrew McKenzie at the NZFSA stakeholder function) said that at the time NZFSA was established in 2002, “it was accepted that MAF was New Zealand’s only credible brand in international trade. I’m proud that that’s no longer the case.

“NZFSA has grown and evolved. Its brand is now well recognised and can confidently take its place on the world stage as a highly reputable and credible agency among consumers of New Zealand food, producers, importers and exporters.

“Separating the two will, I believe, allow NZFSA to build even more effective relationships, and allow it to develop as an agency with a clear focus on food safety issues for New Zealanders.

“NZFSA has become a vibrant agency under Andrew’s leadership, with a high level of morale and purpose, respected both within New Zealand and internationally for its people and their ability to formulate and deliver cutting-edge strategy and policy. I am confident the new department will continue to serve us well with Andrew at the helm.”