What is the NCCP?
The NCCP is New Zealand's dairy monitoring programme. It monitors for a wide range of residues and contaminants in milk and dairy products. The programme demonstrates that milk and dairy products are not a food safety risk and are suitable for export.
The NCCP is an official programme under the Animal Products Act 1999 and associated regulations and notices.
How does the NCCP work?
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) issues a sampling plan. The NCCP is split into 2 programmes.
Raw milk programme
The raw milk programme takes samples from randomly selected farms. Samples are taken from raw milk at the farm bulk milk tank.
Dairy products programme
The dairy products programme takes samples from dairy manufacturers under the supervision of a recognised verifier.
All samples (from both programmes) are tested at recognised laboratories that have ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. Laboratories are accredited under the MPI Recognised Laboratory Programme (RLP).
Find out about the Recognised Laboratory Programme
What the NCCP tests
The NCCP includes testing for a broad range of chemicals. This includes registered and unregistered agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines and other contaminants.
NCCP results
MPI publishes summary reports with sampling plans each year. These have more information about how sampling and testing is carried out and recent results.
Documents for the National Chemical Contaminants Programme
Who to contact
If you have questions about the NCCP, email info@mpi.govt.nz
