Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Have your say
New Zealand Food Safety wants your feedback on proposed changes to the Organic Export Requirement: Organic Production Rules (OER: OPR) which forms part of MPI’s Official Organic Assurance Programme. The OER: OPR sets out the requirements that organic operators must meet if they are to export, or supply for export, organic products under the programme.
In July 2023, New Zealand Food Safety invited applications to proposed changes to the generic inputs that could be used by organic producers under the Official Organic Assurance Programme. One application to amend the generic inputs was received and assessed by a panel of technical experts. The panel recommended that New Zealand Food Safety consult on the inclusion of lignosulphonate for use in organic production.
We also want your feedback on additional amendments to the OER: OPR including to the:
- definitions
- requirements for registration of organic operators
- provision of official organic assurances (organic export certificates).
These changes are intended to provide organic operators, exporters, and recognised agencies with additional clarity. A summary of the proposed changes is on this page and full details are in the consultation document.
Note, this consultation on the OER: OPR is a separate project to the development of the Organic Products and Production Act 2023 and the proposed new regulations and national standard for organic food, beverages, and plant and animal products.
Consultation document
Draft OER: OPR [PDF, 1.8 MB]
Related information
Existing OER: OPR [PDF, 959 KB]
Exporting under the Official Organic Assurance Programme
Proposed changes to the OER: OPR
The proposed changes relates to the inclusion of lignosulphonate as an input in the OER: OPR and other amendments to clarify definitions, the requirements for the provision of official organic assurances, and expectations for registration of organic exporters.
All proposed changes in the OER: OPR are highlighted in yellow in the consultation document. Your feedback on the draft OER: OPR should be restricted to the proposed amendments:
1.1 Application
Clarified the products that the Official Organic Assurance Programme (OOAP) applies to.
1.2 Definition
Added definition for export non-compliance.
Added definition for Organic Management Plan (OMP) verification report.
2.1 Registration
Clarified registration requirements (and guidance) for operators.
Added new clauses on:
- voluntary (temporary) suspension
- transferring between agencies
- voluntary withdrawal
- non-voluntary withdrawal
- registration to participate in the OOAP again, after a period of withdrawal.
2.9 Official organic assurance
Clarified the steps in applying for an official organic assurance.
Clarified the steps needed for revoking and replacing an organic export certificate.
Schedule 1
Updates to trace element/micronutrients to facilitate the use of lignosulphonate.
Addition of lignosulphonate as a new input.
Clarified the specific conditions for using lignosulphonate under the OER: OPR.
Making your submission
Email your feedback on the proposed amendments by 5pm on 2 February 2024 to organics@mpi.govt.nz
We encourage you to use the submission template [DOCX, 87 KB]
While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:
OOAP: Organic Production Rules Consultation
Plant, Wine and Organic Assurance
Assurance Directorate
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.
What to include
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).
