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Was any information released by the Ministry for Primary Industries as part of its consultation on the proposal to transfer meat inspection responsibilities from AsureQuality to meat processing companies explaining the rationale for the decision, and if so, what was that rationale and what are the title and dates of this?

Answered Question 13409 (2026)
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Asked by

Rachel Brooking

Member for Dunedin · Labour Party

Question

  • Was any information released by the Ministry for Primary Industries as part of its consultation on the proposal to transfer meat inspection responsibilities from AsureQuality to meat processing companies explaining the rationale for the decision, and if so, what was that rationale and what are the title and dates of this?

Answered by

Hon Andrew Hoggard

List MP · ACT Party · Minister for Food Safety

Answer

The Ministry for Primary Industries has advised that the rationale for the proposal is to better align New Zealand’s export meat inspection and examination requirements with the Animal Products Act 1999, international guidelines (including the Codex Alimentarius Code of Hygienic Practice for Meat), and overseas market expectations, while maintaining food safety and New Zealand’s official assurances for exported meat products.