New Zealand has a reputation for producing some of the best Lamb in the world.
New Zealand sets the standard in food safety.
Some of the most sophisticated food safety systems in the world are in place to ensure that New Zealand Beef and Lamb is safe and, microbiologically, very clean.
As well as their own strict processing hygiene protocols, many meat processors have achieved internationally recognised quality assurance standards, such as ISO 9002.
Since January 1999, all New Zealand meat processors exporting to the United States have implemented the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points). HACCP has been chosen because it is a process with:
- International recognition – adopted by the US, EU, Australia, Canada and many other importing and producing countries, and promoted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).
- A focus on preventive measures throughout the food chain, in addition to end-product testing.
- The ability to focus resources on critical high-risk areas.
The New Zealand Government is responsible for assuring the safety and quality of food exported from the country.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has overall responsibility for administering and auditing meat inspection and oversees a comprehensive, government-controlled meat inspection process for all meat processed for export.
Inspection is carried out at various points along the processing chain by trained meat inspectors employed by Asure New Zealand (a stand-alone government agency). Their work is checked and audited by the MAF Verification Agency (MAFVA).
New Zealand’s livestock industry has always been fiercely protective of its animal health. Capitalising on its geographic isolation, strict quarantine laws ensure a unique herd health record.
As well as establishing a ban on importing cattle from Britain in 1988, regulations that prohibit the feeding of ruminant tissues to ruminants were introduced in January 2000, replacing a voluntary industry ban that had operated since 1996.
The European Commission’s Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) has carried out assessments of the Geographical BSE-Risk (GBR) of 23 countries including New Zealand. The assessments were completed and published in July 2000. New Zealand was placed in the lowest risk category and with the BSE risk defined as “highly unlikely”.
For the latest statement on New Zealand’s animal health status please visit the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture’s website.