New food imports programme for New Zealand

New food imports programme for New Zealand

Government this week approved the release of information on the New Zealand Food Safety Authority's (NZFSA) new imported food programme. The new programme will be implemented over the next two years and brings the process of importing food more into line with the proposed new domestic food regime.

The changes, which will give consumers more assurance about the food they are eating, follows on from an extensive review into New Zealand's food and food related products' importing system. That review recommended NZFSA update controls on imported foods.

Since then, NZFSA has been developing options and working with representatives from the importing industry to design the new imports programme.

The principles of the new programme's design are to manage risks at the appropriate point in the food chain, to be flexible, and to ensure adequate, scientific-based controls on imported food and food related products.

The new imports programme will group foods into one of three levels of regulatory interest, each of which will have differing import requirements related to the product's potential risk.

Part of the new Food Bill being developed as a response to the Domestic Food Review will include requirements relating to imports. Importers will need to comply with general obligations as well as specific requirements applying to higher risk foods, register with NZFSA, keep records and, on request, report this information to NZFSA.

It is expected that importers will use some of the same tools, such as Food Control Plans, proposed for local food operators under the new Bill. Local operators who also import foods will be able to cover both their domestic and importing operations under one Food Control Plan.

Once implemented, the new imports programme will provide greater confidence that imported food is safe and suitable, and complies with the relevant standards.

Questions and Answers Q: Why has a new importing programme been developed?

A: The 2004 imported food review found that regulation of New Zealand's food importing system is at times inefficient, requiring unnecessary controls in some areas while providing potentially inadequate coverage in other areas. It stated it could be improved by resolving a number of anomalies and inconsistencies.

Among other things, it recommended that NZFSA introduce a more rigorous risk management approach to improve the clarity of the regime and ensure regulation is focussed on the greatest risks to human health.

Q: How will system work?

A: The new importing programme will recognise controls and quality assurance systems that are in place overseas. These controls will be assessed to ensure they meet, or are equivalent to, New Zealand's standards for domestic food.

It has three components: 1. The Import Management Decision Making Framework covers the science and risk management decisions around each food/hazard combination. The process determines the level of regulatory interest (either, high, medium or low) NZFSA will take in a particular food, and the resulting standards which will apply. 2. The Import System details the requirements that must be met to facilitate the importation of food and ensure compliance with all relevant standards. 3. Monitoring and Review and Communication mechanisms will support the first two components and ensure the programme responds to change.

Q: How will the levels of category interest work?

A:Importers of foods of low regulatory interest will be required to comply with general obligations as set out in legislation. These will include registering with NZFSA, keeping records of their imports, an on request, supplying this information to NZFSA.

Importers of foods of medium regulatory interest will operate under a Food Control Plan which involves recording the steps they take to manage the food safety and suitability of their products. Operators will need to be aware of any food standards that apply to their products, and options for pre-clearance.

Importers of foods of 'high' regulatory interest will also operate under an Food Control Plan, and will be required to import from countries/regions that have established pre-clearance arrangements with NZFSA.

Q: How will importers register with NZFSA?

A: NZFSA is working with other border agencies to develop a practical solution which will present as little duplication for importers as possible.

Q: Will the new imports programme increase the cost of products?

A: NZFSA, like all government departments, has the obligation to minimise the costs of compliance for businesses. Regulatory intervention will be kept at a level which is sufficient to ensure operators supply safe and suitable foods. However, costs for the programme are a private or industry good and it will be proposed that they are recovered from importers accordingly.

Q: When will the new system be introduced? A: The importing Food Control Plan template will be released in January 2008. There will be a one year change over period once the new Food Bill (currently under development) is enacted. NZFSA cannot control the date that the Food Bill will be passed, but we hope that it will be come into place in July 2008. If this happens, the transition period to the new programme will last until 30 June 2009.

ENDS

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