Animal Products Act Heralds New Era
Food and Fibre Minister John Luxton has welcomed the passing
of the Animal
Products Bill calling it a momentous
occasion for food law in New Zealand.
"The Animal Products
Bill represents one of the most significant
legislative
changes in nearly 30 years. The Bill
represents another quantum move forward in
the
application of modern risk management principles in New
Zealand law,
particularly as applied to food."
It
benchmarks standards for animal products processed in New
Zealand. These
standards then become the platform to
critically assess the import requirements
of our trading
partners. This will enable more focus to be placed
on
requirements that will be justified only on the basis
of science, health or
wholesomeness.
"This approach
will greatly enhance New Zealand's negotiating position and
has
the potential to deliver competitive advantages to
our processors. The Bill
provides the flexibility and
choice for businesses to be innovative in their
approach
to processing as long as the standards set by Government are
met," Mr
Luxton said.
"The importance to the New
Zealand economy of animal product exports cannot
be
overstated. For this reason, the safeguarding of
official assurances remains a
key objective of the Bill.
This recognises that importing countries place
great
value on New Zealand Government issued
assurances."
The Bill devolves responsibilities from
Government to industry by specifying the
duties of key
players and imposing penalties for breaches of those
duties.
Penalty levels for a number of offences have been
increased to accurately
reflect the serious consequences
of breaches as well as providing a very
strong
deterrent.
"The animal product exports covered
by the Bill comprise in excess of 20 per
cent of New
Zealand's export revenues. This Bill is a significant
addition to
New Zealand law and carries with it the
potential to have far-reaching and
beneficial effects
both domestically and overseas," Mr Luxton
concluded.
ENDS