Requirements for poultry farmers and processors
New Zealand's poultry industry is regulated by 4 food-related laws:
- Agricultural Compound and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997
- Animal Products Act 1999
- Food Act 2014
- Animal Welfare Act 1999.
Find out what you need to do
Use this table to find the legal requirements that apply to your business's activities.
| If you're a... | you must comply with... | ...under this legislation |
|---|---|---|
|
poultry farmer
|
documented Whole Flock Health Scheme (WFHS) |
Animal Product Notice: Production, Supply and Processing [PDF, 2.6 MB] |
|
requirements for vaccinations, medicines, and feeds (under the WFHS) |
||
|
animal welfare requirements (under the WFHS) |
||
|
primary processor (slaughter and dressing)
|
a registered risk management programme (RMP) |
|
|
microbiological testing requirements |
Animal Product Notice: National Microbiological Database Programme [PDF, 717 KB] |
|
|
visual examination requirements before and after slaughter |
Animal Product Notice: Production, Supply and Processing [PDF, 2.6 MB] |
|
|
Standard 2.2.1: Meat and Meat Products |
||
|
labelling and composition requirements for products |
||
|
secondary processor (including cutting up, deboning, cooking, packaging)
|
general safety and suitability requirements – registered FCP or RMP |
|
|
Standard 2.2.1: Meat and Meat Products |
||
|
labelling and composition requirements for products |
||
|
secondary processor as well as a primary processor
|
RMP (for primary processing) and RMP or FCP (for secondary processing) |
Animal Products Act 1999 or Food Act 2014 (for the secondary processing operations) |
|
secondary processor who exports with an official assurance
|
RMP |
Find out more
Our poultry sector roadmap has more details.
Poultry legislation roadmap [PDF, 1.1 MB]
You may need to comply with other laws
Other legislation you may need to comply with includes:
- Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation
- Building Act 2004 – NZ Legislation
- Commerce Act 1986 – NZ Legislation
- Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 – NZ Legislation
- Fair Trading Act 1986 – NZ Legislation
- Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 – NZ Legislation
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 – NZ Legislation
- Resource Management Act 1991 – NZ Legislation
- Privacy Act 2020 – NZ Legislation
This list is not complete – ask your industry association for further advice.
PIANZ (Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand)
Requirements for products for human consumption
If you produce products for human consumption, these must comply with Part 1 and 2.2.1 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
Requirements for pet food and animal feed
If you make pet food or animal feed, there are additional requirements apply to your business.
Find out about pet food, animal feed, and nutritional supplements
Preventing food-borne disease from poultry
If you're a poultry farmer, processor, wholesaler, or retailer, or in the food service industry, you need to know how to reduce levels of harmful bacteria in the poultry products you make or sell.
The Ministry for Primary Industries' risk management strategies and programmes aim to reduce food-borne illnesses caused by:
We carry out audits and scientific studies to help find where contamination can occur. We then develop measures to manage these pathogens throughout the food chain.
Find out more about our research and risk management work to prevent food-borne illnesses:
Food safety and suitability research
Who to contact
If you have questions about poultry processing, email info@mpi.govt.nz
