Process Vegetables NZ Inc

A SECTOR UNDER

AN INCREASING BURDEN

Words by Leanne Stewart : General Manager, Process Vegetables New Zealand

Pea viners at work in Canterbury

The theme of the April magazines is for sectors to speak about the current pressures we’re under and the impacts that are occurring. From the conversations I’ve had with growers and processing companies the most pressing challenge is the increase in regulation to businesses.

Regulation isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The horticulture industry and the wider primary industries benefit from legislation like the Biosecurity Act 1993 that aims to protect our sectors from the introduction and spread of pests and diseases, or the Health and Safety at Work Act that seeks to ensure all employees return home safe from work every day. However, the occurrence of regulation being developed for almost all areas of a growing and post-harvest operation is becoming increasingly difficult to implement, from both a technical and financial perspective. Currently we are seeing regulation being developed for climate change, freshwater management and possibly other areas. It is the job of central government to identify environment outcomes they want to see achieved by the primary industries, but it’s how these outcomes are reached and verified that is the important thing.

The horticulture industry is in a fortunate position to already have industry schemes in place that provide a framework to achieve best practice food safety, environment and social outcomes

The horticulture industry is in a fortunate position to already have industry schemes in place that provide a framework to achieve best practice food safety, environment and social outcomes. These Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) schemes are independently audited and growers receive certification in the areas they’re seeking recognition for, to gain access to both domestic and overseas markets.

By being certified to GAP schemes growers have the ability to be recognised as responsible producers in areas of importance to markets and very discerning consumers. Process Vegetables New Zealand will continue to support Horticulture New Zealand and other horticulture industry groups who are seeking central and regional government recognition of GAP schemes to ensure that we can meet regulatory requirements by having one auditor up the drive instead of three or four. Thus saving growers’ precious time and money meeting current and future regulatory requirements.