Source: New Zealand Government
Tēnā koutou katoa. It’s my pleasure to see you all here in Wellington, and to join you at the Animal & Plant Health Association of New Zealand Annual Conference.
It’s important that regulators and industry come together to talk about the future of animal and plant health, and it’s good to see that happening here today.
I’d like to acknowledge:
- Gavin Kerr, who chairs the association;
- chief executive Mark Ross,
- Federated Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland,
- Animal Medicines Australia chief executive Ben Stapley
- officials from MPI and the EPA
- And everyone who has made the effort to be here.
I took over this portfolio in May, and one of the first things I was told is that there is risk with all food – it’s all a matter of degree.
As someone who loves food, that was slightly alarming.
I’ve also spent most of my life working as a lawyer, and you know how lawyers feel about risk!
But in the weeks and months since then, I’ve visited a lot of food producers and organisations, and talked with a lot of people whose job it is to minimise that risk, and I’m pleased to say that I’m feeling very reassured.
Safe food is one of the most fundamental necessities of life, and most – if not all – of us here today grew up with access to it.
That’s an extraordinary start in life, and it’s something that as a global community, we must continue to strive for, for everyone.
More 40 million people eat food from New Zealand, and we aim to produce the most trusted and sustainable food in the world.
We are fortunate to have a world-class food safety system with a strong regulatory regime.
More than 80 per cent of our total export revenue comes from food and food-related products.
Our products are in more than 200 markets around the world.
New Zealand Food Safety works across MPI to make sure our trading partners – wherever they are in the world – have confidence that the food we produce crosses borders safely and securely.
Our system is soundly designed and works well.
It’s supported by the good conduct and expertise of industry, verifiers and the regulators, including the territorial authorities.
And it is underpinned by robust regulatory systems, including those for agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines.
ACVM Regulatory System Matters
This is important, and work is under way to make sure the Agricultural Compound and Veterinary Medicine regulatory framework is flexible, so businesses can respond quickly to emerging market opportunities.
The Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act plays a critical role in supporting New Zealand’s reputation as a trusted and responsible trading nation, by regulating compounds used on plants and animals.
Officials at New Zealand Food Safety process large numbers of applications to register or vary existing registrations.
It’s in everyone’s interests that we maintain our high standards on regulation for these products.
There must be good evidence that they work and don’t cause harm to humans, animals or plants.
And we want to keep doing this while being as efficient as possible, so that the industry can have the use of effective new products and technologies as quickly as possible.
Over recent years, we’ve made a number of significant improvements in the process.
A review conducted by the MPI Inspector General in 2021 found the regulatory system works well, but identified areas for improvement.
MPI has recently increased its resources to ensure more effective and efficient processing of new ACVM products.
It’s also implementing the ACVM Approvals Online Project, to streamline applications.
A recent independent external review of the registration process has also provided New Zealand Food Safety with some helpful insights, and they are being acted on.
ACVM Modernisation Project
As well as these improvements, MPI has recently begun a project to modernise and strengthen the ACVM regulatory system.
The social, economic, environmental and political landscape has changed since the ACVM Act came into force in 1997.
Public perceptions have changed.
ACVM characteristics and the way they are used are more complex, and the public expects products will be safer and used more sustainably.
The ACVM Modernisation Project will identify solutions that address these challenges.
As current ACVM products become unavailable or are prohibited in certain markets, we need to make sure the system provides replacements.
Those products need to be safe for the public when it comes to residues in food and for animal welfare, and the system needs to align with other regulatory systems.
ACVM Cost Recovery
As you know every service comes at a cost.
We have heard your wish for an adequately funded ACVM regulatory system that allows you to operate effectively.
Earlier this year, the Ministry for Primary industries consulted on new levy rates.
Final decisions are still under consideration, but I would like to thank the industry for its feedback.
The Ministry will follow up on the issues raised in submissions.
Inhibitors
New Zealand Food Safety has also been very active in engaging with the industry on new rules under the ACVM Act for the regulation of inhibitors, as most players in this area are unfamiliar with the ACVM regulatory regime.
I recognise that there is strong interest in having these products on the market.
But equally, this needs to be balanced against the risks they could pose, such as the potential for residues in export foods affecting acceptability of those foods to overseas markets.
Anti-microbial resistance programme
And then we come to antibicrobial resistance.
This is an area where New Zealand Food Safety is also expanding its work.
This received a significant boost in the 2022 Budget, with an allocation of $11.3 million.
This has allowed NZ Food Safety to set up an antimicrobial resistance team, expand the AMR surveillance programme, and establish outreach and auditing programmes.
This will also support Food Safety in implementing the recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser on this, and to refresh the AMR National Action Plan.
This work is important for the continued prudent use of antimicrobials in the animal and plant sectors, and important for animal and plant health.
The World Health Organisation has named antimicrobial resistance one of the top-10 global health threats facing humanity.
The Future for Genetic Engineering in New Zealand
The Government is aware of the rapid changes in biotechnology and the challenges puts on aspects of our 30-year-old regulations on genetic modification, especially for low-risk activities in laboratories and in research.
Such biotechnology changes may provide new opportunities for the primary sector and food production.
Through the Ministry for the Environment, we are exploring ways in which parts of these regulations could be relaxed, while still making sure risks are managed.
We’re seeking feedback on changes to regulations for GMOs that will foster research and improve health.
We recognise the concerns of many New Zealanders, and that loosening our policy settings too much could threaten our export markets.
The proposals will not alter the rules on field trials and the release of GMOs outside laboratories.
Consultation closes on the 25th of August.
Organic sector and synthetic fertilisers
Organics is another area where we have increased certainty for consumers and producers.
Organic products sell at a price premium, and people buying them want to know what they are getting.
That’s why in March, we passed the Organic Products and Production Act, introducing robust and practical regulation.
It’s not an alternative regime – all the same EPA and ACVM requirements continue to apply.
But it is an additional set of requirements for those who wish to claim organic status.
This means that chemicals used in organic production have the same safety and environmental restrictions as those imposed on other producers.
EU-NZ FTA and UKFTA
The past few years have been difficult for many food producers.
The combined effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the extreme weather that battered the country this year mean that many have faced tough times.
Nevertheless, the food and fibre sector is doing well, with revenue expected to increase six per cent to $56.2 billion for the year to June.
The Government remains committed to doing all it can to support the sector, including:
- Allocating $227 million to help the sector clean up after Cyclone Gabrielle.
- Growing the sector’s environmental and sustainability credentials, through programmes to restore our waterways and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
- Our Fit For A Better World plan is making real progress towards the goal of boosting productivity, sustainability and jobs by 2030, with 16,000 more people working in the industry already.
- Negotiating high-quality trade rules and fostering strong relationships with our trading partners so our primary sector can continue prospering in the face of a challenging and changeable world.
- The UK Free Trade Agreement that came into force in May has the best market access we’ve secured in any deal, and just this week we’ve signed the EU free-trade agreement that will remove tariffs from 97 per cent of our goods entering Europe.
- Once the EU agreement comes into force, 73.5 per cent of our total exports will be covered by FTAs, up from 52.5 per cent in 2017.
- We’ve also got a Horticulture Plan in place to double production in that sector, to $12 billion by 2035.
Conclusion
For all of these reasons and more, I am confident that the work the Government is doing – and the great innovations and partnerships in the animal and horticultural sectors – will lead to continued progress toward economic, sustainability and social targets.
Modernising the Agricultural Compound and Veterinary Medicine system is an important part of this, and I look forward to your ongoing support.
Many thanks to all who are here, and for the opportunity to speak to you today.
Nōreira tēnā koutou katoa. I am happy to answer questions.
