THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
Role and Functions of MAF
- In deciding to establish the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in 1997 the Government described the outcome it sought from the agricultural, horticultural and forestry sectors (the sectors) as being:
The best contribution from the land-based sectors to New Zealand's welfare through sustainable economic growth and environmental quality.
- This outcome statement recognises that the sectors are all based on natural resources (land, water, genetic material) and biological production systems, and heavily reliant on international trade for their profitability. The paper on the Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry Sectors describes the contribution that the sectors make to economic activity in New Zealand.
- In considering the contribution that MAF can make to the outcomes sought from the sectors MAF has described its purpose:
- To create opportunity for and manage risk to New Zealand and the food, fibre, forestry and associated industries;
and its roles:
- To provide policy advice on the trading environment, sustainable resource use and the regulation of product safety, biosecurity and related matters;
- To administer the regulation of product safety, biosecurity and related matters;
- To provide services where government needs to be the provider.
Where MAF has come from and its Strategic Direction
- MAF has been the subject of almost constant restructuring over the past dozen years. The
highlights are set out in Appendix A to this Paper.
- At this time there are two machinery of government matters that remain unresolved and which could involve further restructuring within MAF (see the paper on Pending Decisions and Actions). These are:
- the border machinery review report presented to Ministers in November 1999; and
- a single food assurance authority _ the State Services Commission is to report to Ministers in February 2000.
- The changes highlighted in Appendix A (some of which have been internally driven) have resulted in:
- a clear focus on the policy issues facing the sectors;
- a clear focus on the implementation of policy in the biosecurity, animal welfare and food assurances roles and in particular the development of an internationally recognised centre of excellence in the development and implementation of science based risk analysis and management;
- a significant reduction in the role of MAF in the delivery of services with the corporatisation of some services into SOEs, the contracted outsourcing of services and the reliance on "market providers".
- MAF has identified the following medium term strategic goals and MAF's contribution to the achievement of those goals:
- Business environment - By 2010 the sectors will be competing efficiently and effectively in a freer and more open international trading environment.
- MAF will have contributed to an international trading environment where significant reductions have been made to economic distortions and economic and technical market access barriers identified. It will have assessed and highlighted the benefits of modifying or removing costs and barriers to innovation, and made industry aware of opportunities and risks in the trading environment.
- Sustainable resource base _ By 2010 the sectors will be able to demonstrate that they are operating in a sustainable manner on the basis of commonly accepted performance measures.
MAF will have identified and promoted commonly accepted performance measures of the sustainability of the sectors, and worked with the sectors and their stakeholders to identify and promote the adoption of best practice techniques for the sectors. It will also have identified and assessed the need for, and efficiency of, central and local government interventions to promote sustainable resource use by the sectors.
- Sanitary and phytosanitary assurances _ By 2010 New Zealand Government assurances for both domestic consumers and foreign governments will be provided by MAF, with producers taking responsibility for meeting agreed, outcome focused, risk based standards.
MAF will have Government agreed risk management parameters that give an appropriate level of protection and meet New Zealand's international obligations, and applied those parameters consistently in formulating standards for products to ensure "fitness for purpose". It will also have introduced the "optimal regulatory model" where MAF acts as Government's risk management agent with contestable, third party audit/verification of industry safety plans/operations, and industry meeting all responsibilities for producing products which are "fit for purpose". In addition, it will have set standards, strategies, regulatory and operational policy in full consultation with stakeholders, and have acceptance by government and consumers, and foreign governments that MAF assurance is credible.
Biosecurity _ By 2010 New Zealand will have in place an integrated, effective and accepted risk management regime for biosecurity that meets expectations and international obligations.
- MAF will have Government agreed risk management parameters that give an appropriate level of protection and meet New Zealand's international obligations, and will have applied those parameters consistently in formulating and implementing import health and other biosecurity standards. MAF will also have set standards, strategies and regulatory and operational policy in full consultation with stakeholders, and in conjunction with interested parties, introduced plans and schemes for managing and eradicating unwanted organisms of national and/or regional significance. MAF will have acceptance by government and New Zealanders that the MAF assurance is credible.
- Treaty of Waitangi _ By 2010 Mâori will be better able to use the productive resources available to them to meet their aspirations.
MAF will have identified with Mâori their aspirations for, expectations of, and impediments to optimising the benefits to them from the productive resources they own and assessed both the need for and efficiency of central and local Government interventions, which impede or assist Mâori in meeting their aspirations and expectations.
- Credibility - By 2010 MAF will be valued by its stakeholders as an integral and indispensable part of Government.
MAF will have anticipated and prepared for the future of New Zealand, the sectors and the public service and provided the Government with information, advice and services which the Government finds unique and necessary. MAF will have the respect and trust of governments, industries and the public for itself and its brand, and shown itself to be effective, efficient and to have provided demonstrable value for money.
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