The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is responsible for establishing and administering the standards and regulations for New Zealand’s food safety, biosecurity, primary production and animal welfare systems.
International standards, risk-management and science provide the framework for MPI’s regulatory systems and are guiding principles for setting standards.
The standards as applied by MPI are largely outcome-based, providing a high level of reliability and control across all players in New Zealand’s primary production and processing sectors. MPI and approved organisations (referred to as ‘recognised agencies’) routinely audit and monitor aspects of these systems to ensure that standards continue to be met.
MPI employs more than 3000 staff and has strong relationships with other New Zealand government agencies.