Vote Food Safety
Within Vote Food Safety the output classes contribute to the following MAF intermediate outcomes:
- Policies and interventions to foster innovation and growth in the sectors.
- Effective and efficient regulatory regimes for the sectors.
- Maintained and enhanced market access for agricultural, horticultural, food and forestry products and reduced market distortions resulting from trade rules and market interventions.
- Credible and trusted animal and plant product assurance.
- Balanced export and import regime covering the safety and suitability aspects of trade in animal and plant products.
- Safe and suitable food for New Zealanders.
Food Safety Policy Advice
This output class includes purchasing policy advice and decision support for the Minister and the Government on food safety and related issues. It includes analysis and advice on legislation and policy to be applied to all aspects of food administration to ensure a robust, modern, comprehensive legislative base, implementation tools, and mechanisms to measure its effectiveness. Services to assist the Minister are also included.
Performance Measures
- All policy advice conforms with criteria set out in Schedule A of the SOI.
- Priority work is completed as agreed or as subsequently amended by agreement between the Minister, the Director-General and the Executive Director via the 2004/05 Output Plan.
Cost
Outputs in this class will be provided within the appropriated sum of $2.787 million including GST. The GST-exclusive sum of $2.477 million will be fully funded by revenue Crown. The 2003/04 final appropriation for this output class was $1.884 million including GST.
Regulatory Standards
Food and food-related products must be produced in accordance with New Zealand legislation and, where appropriate, meet the requirements negotiated with countries importing New Zealand products to enable official assurances necessary for market access. This class of outputs covers the setting of technical standards to achieve this and to otherwise meet “agreed levels of consumer protection”. Standards for ancillary legislation associated with controls on inputs into food protection are included. The output class covers the setting of operational standards and the development of monitoring and review mechanisms to measure performance and to support reports to the Minister, as well as providing official assurances.
Performance Measures
- All standards and accreditation programmes are reviewed according to a schedule agreed with the Director accountable for the particular area or legislation.
Cost
Outputs in this class will be provided within the appropriated sum of $37.673 million including GST. The GST-exclusive sum of $33.487 million will be funded by revenue Crown of $15.492 million and estimated revenue from third parties of $17.995 million. The 2003/04 final appropriation for this output class was $34.202 million including GST.
Response to “Food Safety” Emergencies
Food safety emergencies are to be expected and need to be handled in a systematic manner. The setting of standards for this purpose is covered in this class of outputs. This class of outputs covers food safety emergencies where there is a need to be prepared for emergencies and to handle events in a systematic manner to reduce threats to human health and/or impacts on the integrity of the programme. It includes the co-ordination of routine food recalls and communication with affected parties and those at risk as well as responses to food safety emergencies. Responses are demand driven and budgeted on a case-by-case basis.
Performance Measures
- Systems and measures are maintained to limit the impact of events that pose a threat to human health, or to the integrity of the New Zealand food safety programme, through the provision of standards, systems and arrangements to manage food recalls effectively, and to show preparedness in response to issues that are routine and/or emergency situations.
- Emergency responses are managed in an effective manner that limits adverse impacts on health and the integrity of New Zealand food safety programmes.
Cost
Outputs in this class will be provided within the appropriated sum of $263,000 including GST. The GST-exclusive sum of $234,000 will be fully funded by revenue Crown. The 2003/04 final appropriation for this output class was $112,000 including GST.
Systems Audit and Enforcement
This class of outputs covers the audit of component systems and specific areas within the regulatory programme, as well as investigations of problems and complaints and suspected breaches of legislation. It covers obtaining the necessary evidence that the programme is effective in meeting policy objectives and that it is being enforced.
Performance Measures
- Audit reports produced for each audit.
- Assurances provided that delivery is in accordance with NZFSA or other relevant standards.
Cost
Outputs in this class will be provided within the appropriated sum of $4.786 million including GST. The GST-exclusive sum of $4.255 million will be funded by revenue Crown of $2.338 million and estimated revenue from third parties of $1.917 million. The 2003/04 final appropriation for this output class was $3.989 million including GST.
Consultation and Food Safety Information
This output class covers consultation with stakeholders (including the public) and includes the Food Safety Advisory Board, the Consumers'Forum and the Officials'Committee on Food Safety. It covers communication of food safety information including all regulatory and other relevant matters to stakeholders and managing issues from a communication perspective.
Performance Measures
- Consultation and food safety information provided in line with agreed programmes and meets the needs of the majority of stakeholders.
Cost
Outputs in this class will be provided within the appropriated sum of $1.747 million including GST. The GST-exclusive sum of $1.553 million will be fully funded by revenue Crown. The 2003/04 final appropriation for this output class was $1.585 million including GST.
Regulatory Programmes
This output class covers primary components of the regulatory programme where arrangements exist to contract regulatory services to give effect to the regulatory programme. District Health Boards are jointly contracted with the MoH to provide a range of functions across the public health continuum. District Health Boards provide NZFSA with oversight of parts of the programme at a local level, investigate possible cases of foodborne illness and provide a linkage to wider public health areas. The Verification Agency provides verification functions to the meat and seafood industries.
Performance Measures
- Technical compliance with standards and food legislation.
- Effective and efficient verification services.
- Integrity of the official assurance programme is maintained and enhanced.
Cost
Outputs in this class will be provided within the appropriated sum of $36.830 million including GST. The GST-exclusive sum of $32.738 million will be funded by revenue Crown of $1.954 million and estimated revenue from third parties of $30.784 million. The 2003/04 final appropriation for this output class was $36.695 million including GST.
Contact for Enquiries
Strategy and Performance Group
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0738
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