RMP updates
By 1 November 2023, all Risk Management Programme (RMP) operators were required to have updated their RMP. This was to align with the new regulations and notices introduced as a part of the Regulatory Redesign programme.
Animal Products Regulations 2021 – NZ Legislation
About Regulatory Redesign
Regulatory Redesign aims to make it easier for businesses operating under the Animal Products Act 1999 to find and comply with their requirements.
Redesign of animal products and wine regulations and notices
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On this page:
- Manufacturing for sale on the domestic market
- Manufacturing for export
- Requirements if you milk animals and manufacture dairy products
- Manufacturing specific or specialist dairy products
- Dairy testing requirements
- Manufacturing dairy products for animals
- Legislation that applies to dairy product manufacturing
- Find other documents to help you meet requirements
Manufacturing for sale on the domestic market
If you make dairy products for sale in New Zealand or Australia (the domestic market), you must meet the requirements of the Animal Products Act 1999 (APA).
This means you must have:
- a food control plan (FCP), or
- a risk management programme (RMP).
Find out about choosing the right food safety programme for your dairy business
Exemptions from operating under the APA
If you make dairy products that will be consumed on site, you may be exempt from operating under the APA. For example, if you make ice cream in your restaurant kitchen and serve it to customers in the restaurant, then you're exempt.
Schedule 2 of the Animal Products Regulations 2021 has more information about how this works.
Animal Products Regulations 2021 – NZ Legislation
Manufacturing for export
If you make dairy products that will be exported, you must operate under a registered RMP. As well as meeting the requirements for products made for the New Zealand and Australian markets, you'll also need to meet some export-related requirements.
Find out more about exporting dairy
Requirements if you milk animals and manufacture dairy products
If you milk animals and also manufacture dairy products, any products you sell must be made using milk that has been harvested under an RMP.
You can either have an:
- RMP that covers both your milking and manufacturing operations, or
- RMP for your milking operation and an FCP for your manufacturing operation.
Note: The second option is likely to cost more, as it will involve more than one verification.
Manufacturing specific or specialist dairy products
There are specific food safety requirements if you make:
- dairy products such as yoghurt, ice cream, cheese or liquid milk, or
- products from raw (unpasteurised) milk.
Selling raw drinking milk
Farmers, depot operators, and people transporting raw drinking milk must meet certain requirements to minimise risks to public health.
Find out about selling raw drinking milk to consumers
Dairy testing requirements
Dairy products (including raw drinking milk) are tested to prove they conform with regulations and domestic and overseas food safety requirements.
This testing must be done by a recognised laboratory.
Find out more about the Recognised Laboratory Programme
Manufacturing dairy products for animals
Dairy products for animal consumption have the same requirements as dairy products for human consumption. There are very few dedicated animal feed processors, so the production standards to follow are similar or the same.
Find out about pet food, animal feed, and nutritional supplements
Legislation that applies to dairy manufacturing
Animal Products Regulations 2021 – NZ Legislation
Dairy legislation roadmap [PDF, 995 KB]
Find other documents to help you meet requirements
Documents on these web pages will help you meet the requirements for your dairy manufacturing business:
Approved criteria, codes of practice, and guidance for dairy
Notices and standards under dairy legislation
Guidance and forms for dairy processors
Reports and documents about food safety for the dairy industry
Get the latest updates
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Who to contact
If you need to contact MPI for advice about the specific requirements for your dairy operation, email info@mpi.govt.nz