NZ Food Safety calls for submissions on organic exports

New Zealand Food Safety is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Organic Export Requirement: Organic Production Rules (OER: OPR) which forms part of MPI’s Official Organic Assurance Programme. The OER: OPR sets out requirements that organic operators must meet if they are to export or supply for export, organic products under the program.

In July 2023, New Zealand Food Safety called for applications to proposed changes to the generic inputs that could be used by organic producers under the Official Organic Assurance Programme. One application to amend the generic inputs was received and assessed by a panel of technical experts, which recommended that New Zealand Food Safety consult on the inclusion of lignosulphonate for use in organic production.

New Zealand Food Safety is also seeking feedback additional amendments to the OER: OPR, including:

• definitions
• requirements for registration of organic operators
• provision of official organic assurances (organic export certificates).

These changes are intended to provide organic operators, exporters and recognised agencies with additional clarity.

The proposed changes relate to the inclusion of lignosulphonate as an input in the OER: OPR and other amendments to clarify definitions, the requirements for the provision of official organic assurances and expectations for the registration of organic exporters.

Submissions close at 5 pm NZDT on 2 February 2024.

More information is available here.

Image credit: iStock.com/Smederevac