Friday, 16 April 1999
ANZFA Holds major forum for organisations to have their say
More than 25 of New Zealand's leading consumer, industry and community organisations put forward their views in a major forum held by the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) in Wellington.
Major groups represented at this forum included the New Zealand Dietietic Association, New Zealand Seafood Industry Council, New Zealand Consumers' Institute, University of Otago, Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand, New Zealand Pork Industry Board, New Zealand Grocery Marketers' Association, Safe Food Campaign, New Zealand Dairy Board, and the Cancer Society of New Zealand.
Chairman of the ANZFA's Board, the Hon Michael MacKellar, said this forum was an invaluable way for the Board of the Authority to hear the many important views of major consumer, business, and professional organisations.
'This forum was one where key consumer, business, and professional groups took the floor and put forward their views about the work of the Authority,' Mr MacKellar said.
'ANZFA takes public consultation seriously, and welcomes the many constructive suggestions put forward by the forum's participants.
'This year is going to be a particularly important one for ANZFA, as we complete a major review of food standards across New Zealand and Australia.
'It's vital that the public views are heard about the food standards and forums such as this one are a good way to do this,' Mr MacKellar said.
Issues discussed at the forum included genetically modified food, labelling, food regulation, and ANZFA's consultative processes.
Mr Owen Symmans, one of New Zealand's representatives on the ANZFA Board says,'Improved dialogue is required between ANZFA and New Zealand interest groups, including consumers—this forum is a major step in the right direction.'
'Most of the forum's participants expressed strong support for the work of ANZFA's office in New Zealand,' Mr Symmans said.
ANZFA is a partnership between 10 governments: the New Zealand Government and the Federal, State, and Territory Governments of Australia. ANZFA's Board is headed by part-time Chairman, the Hon Michael MacKellar, and includes eight other members, three of whom are nominated by the New Zealand Government. Members are appointed for their expertise in one or more of the following fields: public health, food science, human nutrition, food production or retailing, consumer rights, and public administration. Special purpose members are also appointed as required.