Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Have your say
From 17 November to 15 December 2022, New Zealand Food Safety is publicly consulting and invites comments on proposed amendments to the Organic Export Requirements: Organic Production Rules (OER: OPR).
The requirements that organic operators must meet if they are to export, or supply for export, organic products under the OOAP are set out in the Organic Export Requirements: Organic Production Rules (OER: OPR).
Background to this consultation
In May 2022, New Zealand Food Safety invited applications to amend or propose changes to the generic inputs in the OER: OPR under the OOAP. Applications to amend the generic inputs were received and assessed by a panel of technical experts. The panel recommended that New Zealand Food Safety considers the changes proposed in the consultation document.
Note: This consultation is separate to the development of the Organic Products and Production Bill, and the proposed new regulations and national standard for organic food, beverages, and plant and animal products.
Consultation document
Draft Organic Export Requirements: Organic Production Rules [PDF, 1.4 MB]
What’s being proposed?
The proposed changes relate to the use of beach cast seaweed and clarify the maximum number of courses of veterinary medicines permitted per year for animals before reconversion is required.
All proposed changes in the OER: OPR are highlighted in yellow in the consultation document. Note that your feedback on the draft OER: OPR should be restricted to the proposed amendments.
1.2 Definitions
- Inclusion of a definition for beach cast seaweed
- Removal of the restriction around the use of beach cast seaweed from the definition for wild harvest
- Inclusion of relevant definitions from the Fisheries Act 1996
2.3.3 (3) Wild Harvest
- Specific organic management plan (OMP) requirements for the harvest of beach cast seaweed for commercial processing into feed supplements added
2.3.3 Guidance box
- Guidance box added to explain the term ‘fit for purpose’ as it relates to beach cast seaweed
2.3.7 Algae guidance box
- Clarified references for collection of beach cast seaweed for different uses within this Organic Export Requirements.
2.4.3 (3) Wild Harvest
- Specific record-keeping requirements for the harvest of beach cast seaweed for commercial processing into feed supplements added
2.4.3 Guidance box
- Guidance box to explain the term ‘fit for purpose’ as it relates to beach cast seaweed
3.3 Wild harvest guidance box
- Clarified permitted uses of beach cast seaweed
3.3 (2) Wild Harvest
- Specific requirements for the harvest of beach cast seaweed for commercial processing into livestock feed supplements added
3.3 (2) Guidance box
- Guidance box to explain the term ‘fit for purpose’ as it relates to beach cast seaweed added
3.4.8 (11) Health Management
- Amendment to clarify the maximum number of courses of veterinary medicines permitted per year for animals before reconversion is required
3.7 Algae production guidance box
- Clarified references for collection of beach cast seaweed for different uses within this OER
Making your submission
Email your feedback on the proposed amendments by 5pm on 15 December 2022 to organics@mpi.govt.nz
We encourage you to use the submission template [PDF, 101 KB]
While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:
OOAP: Organic Export Requirements Consultation
Plant, Wine and Organic Assurance
Assurance Directorate
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.
Make sure you tell us in your submission:
- the title of the consultation document
- your name and title
- your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
- your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).
Submissions are public information
Note, that any submission you make becomes public information. People can ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we have to make submissions available unless we have a good reason for withholding it. That is explained in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.
Tell us if you think there are grounds to withhold specific information in your submission. Reasons might include that it’s commercially sensitive or it’s personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold information can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may tell us to release it.
