Primary Production and Processing Standards

 

Under new food regulatory arrangements that came into effect on July 1 2002, FSANZ, (previously ANZFA) has assumed the responsibility for developing Primary Production and Processing Standards. In the past this responsibility has resided with various bodies in the agriculture portfolios at Commonwealth and/or State levels. Once these standards are developed by FSANZ and agreed to by all States and Territories, they will be adopted without alteration into State and Territory law and implemented uniformly across Australia.

The transfer of responsibility for primary product and processing standards to FSANZ will ensure that, for the first time in Australia, all domestic food standards are integrated and that food safety regulatory decisions are considered across the entire food chain. The new nationally enforceable Standards, once developed, will form a new Chapter 4 of the Food Standards Code and will apply in Australia, but not in New Zealand.  

The primary industry sectors that the food safety standards may be developed for include seafood, meat, dairy, grains, horticulture, honey, and poultry and egg production. In August 2002, the FSANZ Board agreed in principle, that the first primary production and processing food safety standard will be developed for seafood.

The Standards will be developed through established FSANZ processes, utilising a scientific risk assessment to inform the most appropriate risk management solutions. In keeping with the FSANZ' s statutory requirements, the standards development process will involve public consultation with all primary industry sectors, stakeholders and interested parties. The new Primary Production and Processing Standards will be outcome based and be consistent with Chapter 3 of the Food Standards Code. 

It is anticipated that the standards development process for seafood will commence in October, when the FSANZ Board is expected to announce the composition of a Standards Development Committee for seafood, consisting of regulator, industry and consumer representatives and FSANZ staff. Two rounds of public comment will be sought from interested parties. The first round of comments will occur after the Initial Assessment or Issues paper stage of the process, seeking input about the nature and the content of the proposed standard. The second round will seek comments on the proposed Draft Assessment that will propose the legal drafting for the standard.

 

September 2002