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Proposals for regulating organic businesses in the primary sector

Update – 27 November 2023

MPI analysed the feedback on the proposals for organics regulations for food, beverages, and plant and animal products. Your feedback will help inform our advice to the Government on the design of the new regulations.

Summary of submissions about the proposed regulations [PDF, 1.2 MB]

In October to December 2022, MPI re-engaged with the sector on the detail of the proposed regulations. This was to provide a greater level of detail on the regulations, and receive feedback to advise the Minister of Agriculture.

Summary of submissions from further engagement on the regulations [PDF, 385 KB]

Background

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) asked for feedback on proposals for regulating organic businesses in the primary sector. Full details were in the discussion document, which covered the:

  • proposed requirements and processes associated with the approval of organic businesses
  • recognition of third-party agencies and persons that would check compliance
  • use of a national mark for organic products.

Documents

Proposals for regulating organic businesses in the primary sector [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Diagram: Proposed baseline process for approving businesses to describe products as organic [PDF, 149 KB]

Submissions are public information

Note that any submission you make becomes public information. People can ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we have to make submissions available unless we have a good reason for withholding it (refer to sections 6 and 9 of the OIA).

Tell us if you think there are grounds to withhold specific information in your submission. Reasons might include that it's commercially sensitive or it's personal information. Any decision MPI makes to withhold information can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

The Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Next steps after this consultation

After carefully considering all feedback received, we will run another consultation on the content of draft:

  • exposure regulations on approving businesses in the primary sector
  • proposals for cost recovery regulations
  • proposals for infringement regulations
  • national organic standards for food, beverages, plant, and animal products.

If you are interested in helping to draft the new national organic standards, you can apply to join a technical working group.

Information on joining the technical working group – Poster [PDF, 624 KB]

Related information – The Organic Products Bill

The Organics Products Bill is progressing through Parliament.

Find out about the bill and check its progress – NZ Parliament

Background documents about the bill and proposed regulations

MPI business units