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NZFSA summarises submissions on Domestic Food Review Position Paper

25 July 2006

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has published a summary of the submissions received on its Domestic Food Review Position Paper. This paper has been developed as part of the NZFSA review of the entire New Zealand food regulatory programme, being undertaken to ensure that New Zealand’s vital food sector is positioned to deal with the significant growth expected over the next 20 years.

The Position Paper took into consideration submissions raised in the previous papers which had outlined a package of proposals as might be recommended to Government.

A series of public meetings was held around New Zealand between February and April this year so that NZFSA could discuss the proposals contained in the Position Paper with industry members and others who may be interested, including the New Zealand general public. Comments made at those meetings were recorded and are included in the summary.

A total of 157 written submissions have been received on the Position Paper – from business groups, government bodies, industry organisations, community groups, consumers and professional bodies.

Carole Inkster, NZFSA’s Director of Policy says: “We are pleased with the response. The number of submissions received represents the views of several thousand people from interested groups and organisations around the country. Overall the response has supported the proposals we have put forward.”

Key issues that have come up include costs of checking compliance and requests for further clarification on the future roles and responsibilities of public health units, local councils and NZFSA.

NZFSA is now analysing the submissions and preparing a Cabinet paper which is due to be tabled in late August/early September and is expected to lead to changes to the current food safety legislation to ensure the proposals can be implemented.

A further paper outlining the proposed transition and implementation of any changes to existing legislation (should they be accepted by Government) is expected to be ready for public consultation around the same time.

The summary, along with all of the papers published as part of the DFR, can be downloaded from NZFSA’s website: www.nzfsa.govt.nz/policy-law/projects/domestic-food-review/index.htm.

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For further information, contact Diane Robinson, Senior Communications Advisor: 04 463 2528 or
021 193 6405.

For further comment, contact Carole Inkster, Director of Policy: 04 463 04 463 2505
or 021 241 2455.

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