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Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice

Have your say

This consultation period includes 17 proposals for changes to the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice:

  • 10 proposals for new or amended maximum residue levels (MRLs) in Schedule 1
  • 6 new or amended exemptions from compliance with an MRL in Schedule 2 (agricultural chemicals)
  • 1 amendment to an existing veterinary medicine entry in Schedule 3.

New Zealand Food Safety is inviting public comment on the changes proposed to the Food Notice. Submissions close at 5pm on 20 September 2020.

Consultation document

Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice [PDF, 269 KB]

Related document 

WTO notification: NZL 634 - SPS notification [PDF, 654 KB]

Background information

Maximum residue levels (MRLs) are the maximum legal levels for residues of agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines in food for sale in New Zealand. As new products and uses are registered, new MRLs and MRL exemptions are set. Existing MRLs and MRL exemptions are adjusted as needed to ensure that residue levels remain as low as practicable without compromising the ability for the chemical to successfully do what is intended.

MRLs and MRL exemptions are established for agricultural compounds to support good agricultural practice in New Zealand while ensuring risks associated with food safety are effectively managed. MRLs may also be proposed to support the importation of food into New Zealand.

Making a submission

Email your feedback on the consultation document by 5pm on 20 September 2020 to MaximumResidueLevels@mpi.govt.nz

For each compound for which a comment is made, answer the following questions:

  • On balance, do you oppose any of commodity MRLs or exemptions proposed for this compound?
  • Do you oppose a MRL or exemption being set at all for this compound or for a commodity? If so, why do you oppose it?
  • If a MRL or exemption is to be set for this compound for the commodity, do you disagree with the levels or conditions proposed? If so, why do you disagree?

Make sure you include in your submission:

  • the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
  • your name and title (if applicable)
  • your organisation's name (if applicable)
  • your address
  • the answers to the questions above for each compound you are commenting on.

While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:

MRL Amendments
New Zealand Food Safety
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Submissions are public information

Note that your submission is public information. Submissions may be the subject of requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA.

Submitters may wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submission, such as information being commercially sensitive or they wish personal information to be withheld. MPI will take such indications into account when determining whether or not to release the information. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.

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