YOUR LEVY AT WORK
FOOD ACT 2014 – RENEWALS DUE IN 2021 Words by Damien Farrelly : Food Safety Manager, HortNZ
It has now been two years since the deadline for horticulture businesses to become registered under the Food Act 2014, so grower registrations are now due for renewal. (Registration is due every two years.) In 2019, more than 4,000 growers were registered under the Food Act 2014 as a result of recognition of our Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) schemes (NZGAP and GLOBALG.A.P.) As growers have taken advantage of an effective batch registration process via industry groups (NZGAP, Zespri, Avoco, Seeka, and New Zealand Apple and Pears), the costs and complexities of Food Act registration have been minimised. Using this same process, the renewal of Food Act registrations will be seamless for growers who are utilising this industry service. Growers wishing to use this service, or unsure whether to do so, should contact their relevant industry group (NZGAP, Zespri, Avoco, Seeka, or New Zealand Apple and Pears). Packhouses, transporters, storage providers, and wholesalers can also register via NZGAP.
If a horticulture business (grower, packer, storage provider, transporter or wholesaler) is now commercially operating without registration, they are in breach of the Food Act 2014 and could be subject to enforcement action A grower’s Food Act renewal date is based on when the grower was first registered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) rather than the anniversary date of the grower’s GAP certificate, therefore most Food Act registrations will expire between February and April this year. Growers should soon expect to receive communications from the respective GAP industry group who originally registered them for the Food Act (see above). Once the renewal has been confirmed by the industry group and subsequently processed by MPI,
2019
4,000
GROWERS WERE REGISTERED UNDER THE FOOD ACT 2014 growers will receive an updated Food Act registration certificate from MPI. This certificate will most likely be received at the beginning of the month that the existing Food Act registration is due to expire. Overall, batch registration has saved the horticulture industry a lot of administration and confusion, plus over $1 million in direct registration costs to date, and savings will almost double this year once renewals have been processed. This is compared to the cost if each business had registered individually via the local council or MPI, and it highlights the value that GAP schemes continue to deliver for growers. If a horticulture business (grower, packer, storage provider, transporter or wholesaler) is now commercially operating without registration, they are in breach of the Food Act 2014 and could be subject to enforcement action. Although the Ministry for Primary Industries will use a range of interventions, if businesses are found to be unregistered, large fines (up to $200,000 for companies and $50,000 for individuals) could be applied. Markets and customers may also refuse to accept goods or use services of businesses not registered under the Food Act, in addition to considering their compliance with existing requirements for GAP certification. By recognising the GAP schemes, standards, and audit systems that have been in place for over 20 years, growers are now demonstrating compliance with the Food Act 2014 and can continue to provide safe and suitable fruit and vegetables for New Zealanders and our many export markets. For more information on the Food Act 2014 please contact your GAP provider, industry body, MPI, or check the MPI www.mpi.govt.nz/foodact, NTWG www.hortnz.co.nz, or NZGAP websites www.nzgap.co.nz
NZGROWER : FEBRUARY 2021
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