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Proposals to strengthen the regulatory framework for export bee products

Your views sought

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) proposes to introduce certain regulatory measures for strengthening the official assurances framework for bee products intended for export to countries for which official assurances are required.

MPI is seeking your views on the proposed regulatory measures, which are as explained in the consultation paper and specified in the draft notices.

What's being proposed?

We are proposing to introduce the following regulatory measures:

  • Mandating electronic traceability of export bee products through MPI's Animal Products Electronic Certification System.
  • Mandating the listing of beekeepers who supply honey to premises operating under a risk management programme for the purpose of export to countries requiring official assurances.
  • Requiring unlabelled retail packs and bulk honey to be indelibly marked with information enabling effective product identification.
  • Expressly requiring compliance with the labelling provisions of the Food Standards Code.
  • Strengthening the verification framework in relation to export bee products.

Consultation paper and draft notices

Making a submission

You may have your say by answering the questions in boxes throughout the consultation paper or comment on any part of the proposals. You may also comment on the draft notices, specifically in relation to the proposed amendments, which are highlighted. 

MPI prefers to get submissions electronically. Email your submission to food.assurance@mpi.govt.nz.

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

Bee Products Export Requirements
MPI Food Assurance Team
PO Box 2526
Wellington.

Consultation closes at 5pm on Thursday 17 December 2015.

Information to include in your submission

Make sure you include in your submission:

  • the title of the discussion document
  • your name and title (if applicable)
  • your organisation’s name (if applicable)
  • your address.

A panel of MPI officials will consider all submissions after the consultation closing date and make a recommendation to the relevant decision maker about the final amendments to be adopted and specified in the notice. A paper outlining the analysis of all submissions received will be made available to all submitters.

Submissions are official information

Submissions are official information and may be subject to requests under the Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA). Under the OIA, everyone has the right to request official information held by government organisations, and such information must be made available to requesters unless there are good or conclusive grounds under the OIA for withholding it.

If you are submitting on this discussion document, you may wish to indicate any grounds for withholding information contained in your submission. MPI will consider such grounds when deciding whether or not to release information.

Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA may be reviewed by the Ombudsman.

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