Government’s proposed food bill
In the face of natural disasters, it’s heart-warming to see the resilience of our community in helping those affected. In times like these I’m reminded about how important it is to be as self-reliant as possible. Equally important is the network of friendly neighbours, friends and tradespeople sharing skills and resources in times of need.
The strength of a community I believe can be measured in its self-reliance. We have so much to be thankful for in such an abundant region: a huge skill base and loads of local resources like fish, meat, milk, eggs, fruit, nuts, vegetables, herbs, flowers and wood.
Therefore, when I heard about the Government’s controversial proposed Food Bill (http://foodsafety.govt.nz/policy-law/reform-nz-food-regulations/food-bill/) I became concerned about how it may affect us as a nation and locally.
There has been significant national reaction since the submission process finished last September, including an online petition. It wasn’t clear then who was going to be affected by the bill, and many believed it would hinder home gardeners and small growers trading their produce and seeds. Here’s what I discovered.
So why a new food bill?
“The Bill is designed to simplify 30-year-old food safety regulations and aims to reduce our high level of food poisoning and corresponding economic cost. It’s estimated food-borne illness caused a $162 million loss to the New Zealand economy in 2010,” said Kate Wilkinson, Minister for Food Safety.
“The current system is prescriptive and based on rules and inspections – which are often costly to food businesses. The new regime will create efficiencies for traders and improve food safety.”
Under the 1981 Act, local authorities have more responsibility for food safety in their area, and different areas have different bylaws. The new Act creates one law for the whole country, and gives central government greater responsibility for making and enforcing all food safety regulations. MAF will replace local councils’ role in compliance and enforcement.
How will it work?
The new regime will have three regulatory levels of safety based on risk, with those food businesses classed as high risk (such as restaurants or baby food manufacturers) having the highest number of requirements. Businesses presenting a medium-level risk (such as bakeries and prepackaged food processors) would be subject to national programmes (a more flexible and generic approach), with those presenting low risk receiving food handler guidance.
Under Food Hygiene Regulations 1974, the emphasis is on “walls, floors and ceilings,” whereas the new bill considers the businesses processes and practices needed to keep food safe. This will mean that any person involved in the trade of food must operate under one of three risk-based measures: food control plans, national programmes and food-handler guidance.
Instead of health inspectors performing annual audits and fining those who don’t comply, the new food safety officers will visit to verify that safe systems are in place. They will work with the provider to improve the food control plan if needed. If the business operation is good, then fewer visits will be needed and compliance costs will remain low.
Who will it affect?
Under the Food Bill manufacturers, sellers, traders and importers of food will have a duty to ensure their operations result in the “provision of safe and suitable food.”
Contrary to some of the concerns, Ms Wilkinson says “food grown at home for personal or family consumption, or given away to friends is excluded from the measures in the bill”. Small growers who shared or traded their produce with neighbours or sold direct to consumers had nothing to fear from the bill, she added.
“They will not face costs of any kind, or required to be registered or verified. At most, they will be supplied with free educational pamphlets which provide basic tips on how to handle food safely.”
However, if they sell using an agent or someone else they will likely be required to operate under a national programme.
Also exempt are people fundraising for a specific individual or group (eg cake stall for netball trip) and not selling more than 20 times a year, and people selling/bartering food for a “charitable purpose,” also not more than 20 times a year. It may be that some commercial food operations try to avoid their regulatory responsibilities by using barter. It’s also not clear how this will affect the WWOOFing scheme.
Also affected will be farmers’ markets. Stallholders may well be expected to register depending on their activity and risk. Those selling processed food, meat, or cheese for example will fall under one of the regulatory tools.
Farmers’ markets throughout the country have varying views on this proposed legislation. Chris Fortune, chair of Farmers Market NZ, said on National Radio that “the bill will create an even playing field for all producers” and denied that it was over-regulation. “If you’re producing food, you should be producing it to the highest possible standard and this will strengthen that.”
The first draft of the bill also affected the propagation of food seeds for sale or trade. An amendment by the Minister at the second reading in Parliament shortly will exclude seeds (other than sunflower seeds).
I talked with our largest local vegetable producer, David Boaz of Waitapu Gardens. He had only heard a little about the new bill.
“I hate any regulations because they just tend to grow,” he said. “We already have to comply with food safety guidelines through NZ Biosecurity and council.”
MP Damien O’Connor says there is much uncertainty around what will actually be in the Food Bill.
“I am concerned about many aspects, particularly the effect on small growers.” He declined to comment further until the Primary Production Committee meets again.
Green Party MP Steffan Browning said there were different requirements for different-sized food producers and he felt these needed to be reset at a higher level to ensure demands on smaller producers were not unnecessarily onerous.
Lobbying on the bill continues. New regulations will be felt locally, so keep a lookout and check out these sites for more information:
www.foodsafety.govt.nz/policy-law/reform-nz-food-regulations/food-bill/
http://ooooby.ning.com/profiles/blogs/food-bill-time-for-action?xg_source=activity
www.farmersmarkets.org.nz/
Sol Morgan
