Update – 12 December 2023
National Organic Standard summary of submissions
About the proposed National Organic Standard
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) worked alongside a number of technical experts across the organics sector to develop draft proposals for the National Organic Standard. These draft proposals contained the technical rules to regulate the production and processing of organic:
- food
- beverages
- plant and animal products.
The proposals for the standard were detailed in the consultation document. The document was designed to give you a comprehensive overview of all requirements.
Why we consulted
We wanted your feedback on the draft standard. Submissions closed on 16 June 2023.
When making your submission, we asked you to focus on the topics that applied to your business or area of expertise. Although we acknowledged that the 'general' and 'inputs' sections would apply to most operators.
Consultation document
Draft proposals for the National Organic Standard [PDF, 1014 KB]
Future work and further consultations
There is further work yet to be done. This will include consultation on the costs of MPI services and any proposed fees and levies in relation to the organics regime. The cost recovery will be consistent with the principled approach set out in MPI's cost recovery policy guidance, and the framework provided in the Organic Products and Production Act 2023. The principles for cost recovery are equity, efficiency, justifiability, and transparency.
In addition to cost recovery, we will also consult later on infringement offences and how these will look under the new system.
Submissions are public information
Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.
People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.
If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.
