Have your say
In November 2019, the Food Ministers Meeting (formally known as the Australia New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation) endorsed a plan to reform the binational food regulatory system (the System) to ensure it remains strong, robust, and agile into the future.
As part of the plan to progress this reform, in December 2021 Food Ministers also endorsed the implementation of a new strategic planning process that would support a regular reset of the System’s strategic direction. The System is now seeking feedback on a draft Horizon Scan which takes a broad view of the wide food system challenges and opportunities. The Horizon Scan will be used to inform the strategic direction of the System from July 2023 to June 2026. Your input is sought to ensure missing issues are identified.
The outcomes from this consultation will be provided to Food Ministers in late 2022, as part of setting the future strategic direction for the System.
In addition to the option of making a submission (see below) you will also have the opportunity to share your thoughts via a virtual stakeholder engagement forum on Tuesday, 19 July 2022, from 1pm to 5:30pm NZST. The forum is a chance to improve your understanding of the food regulatory system and discuss the evidence base for the strategic planning. It will be held via Zoom and the link will be provided one week prior to confirmed registrants.
To RSVP, email foodregulationsecretariat@health.gov.au
Registrations close 7pm NZST Monday, 11 July 2022.
Information on the virtual stakeholder engagement forum – Australian Food Regulation
Making your submission
The consultation opened on 26 June 2022 and will close at 12am on 7 August 2022.
Background to the wider reform of the food regulation system
New Zealand and Australia have a unique shared regulatory system that sees us jointly developing food composition and labelling policy and standards. This is based on the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand establishing a System for the Development of Joint Food Standards (the Joint Food Treaty).
Under the plan to reform the binational food regulatory system, 3 inter-connected projects are being progressed. They are the:
- review of the Australian Food Regulation Agreement
- review of jurisdictional consistency across the joint system
- operations review.
Separately, but in close collaboration, the Australian Government is undertaking a review of the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act).
Next steps
You can keep informed about future steps in the reform process through the following link:
Food regulation in Australia and New Zealand
Who to contact
If you have any questions about this consultation or the broader reform agenda, or if you wish to subscribe for updates, email foodregulationsecretariat@health.gov.au
If you have any questions on New Zealand’s role in the joint system, email transtasman@mpi.govt.nz
