THE HON TRISH WORTH MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for
Health and Ageing
20th June 2002
NEW FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND BOARD ANNOUNCED
Former Victorian Health Minister, the Hon. Rob Knowles, has been appointed the Chairperson of the inaugural Food Standards Australia New Zealand Board, Ms Trish Worth, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, announced today.
The appointment of the Chairperson and Australian Board members were agreed to by Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Food Standards Ministers. New Zealand board representatives were nominated by the New Zealand Government.
' Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is a new statutory Authority that will replace the existing Australia New Zealand Food Authority,' Ms Worth said.
' The Authority will have a Board with broader areas of expertise than does ANZFA. The prime function of the Authority will be to develop food standards that are to be adopted in Australia and New Zealand (within the scope of the Treaty between Australia and New Zealand) and then notify those standards to the new Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council.
' These standards are to be developed based on scientific and technical criteria and in accordance with the objectives of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991, dealing with protection of public health and safety and the provision of information to consumers.
' A new feature of the system is that FSANZ will also develop standards relating to primary production and processing under its normal standards setting process (for Australia only). This means that for the first time we have an organisation setting standards for the whole food chain. Therefore the FSANZ Board includes members with expertise in agriculture and primary food production.
' FSANZ is expected to commence operation on 1 July 2002 with the structure of FSANZ based upon the existing Australia New Zealand Food Authority.
' A key feature of the new authority will be its continued emphasis on the protection of consumer rights. Therefore the FSANZ Board has a member with a knowledge of consumer rights and consumer affairs.'
Ms Worth said the Chairperson and Board members have expertise in a range of fields including public health; consumer affairs; food science; human nutrition; microbiology; food safety; biotechnology; veterinary science; the food industry; food processing or retailing; primary food production; international trade; government and food regulation.
' This mix of experience and skills will be of great value to FSANZ in its important role as food standards Regulator for Australia and New Zealand,' Ms Worth said.
' The new Chairperson, the Hon. Rob Knowles, has a sound knowledge of food issues and government processes and an extensive knowledge of State and Commonwealth health systems. He is a current member of the Board of the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA), which will be replaced by FSANZ.
' I sincerely thank the outgoing ANZFA Chairperson, the Hon. Michael MacKellar, for his contribution and commitment to the Authority over the past four years. Also my thanks to the outgoing ANZFA Board members for contributing their time precious time and considerable expertise.'
Board Members of Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Mrs Elaine Attwood (Member nominated by a consumer organisation)
Ms Attwood has broad experience in representing consumer issues on committees and boards. She has served on the executive of a number of peak consumer organisations, and has a particular interest in food issues.
Professor Kerin O'Dea (Member nominated by the National Health and Medical Research Council)
Professor O'Dea has a strong background in human nutrition including experience in indigenous health and nutrition issues. She is a member of a number of committees and groups involved with health and nutrition matters.
Dr Heather Yeatman (Member nominated by public/health science organisation)
Dr Yeatman is a current ANZFA Board member. She has a strong background in science and nutrition and is a member of a number of committees and groups dealing with health and nutrition issues.
Dr John Craven (Member nominated by public/health science organisation)
Dr Craven's expertise covers a broad spectrum in the agriculture and primary production fields. He is experienced in both the production and scientific sides of industry through his veterinary qualifications and microbiology qualifications and also had extensive experience in the dairy industry.
Professor Ken Buckle (Member nominated by public/health science organisation)
Professor Buckle is well respected in the food technology field at a national and international level. He has a strong science background particularly in food safety and microbiology.
Professor Christopher Hudson (Member nominated by food industry organisation)
Dr Hudson has a very strong science background, as well as a long association with the food industry. He is on a number of other Boards, including the current ANZFA Board, where he is Chair of the ANZFA Board's Finance and Audit Committee.
Mr Peter Milne (Member nominated by food industry organisation)
Mr Milne has a lifetime involvement in the livestock industry, and a great deal of experience in primary production issues. Mr Milne has also been involved in a number of committees and councils related to agriculture and food production.
Mr Owen Symmans (Member nominated by New Zealand Government)
Mr Symmans is currently employed at managerial level in the New Zealand meat industry. He has a varied background, having worked for a farmers' organisation, in government, and in the dairy industry. He is a current ANZFA Board member.
Ms Hikihiki Pihema (Member nominated by New Zealand Government)
Ms Pihema has a strong background in human nutrition, having been a dietitian for 26 years. Her experience covers a variety of settings including community, public and Maori health. Ms Pihema is a current member of the ANZFA Board.
Professor Raymond Winger (Member nominated by New Zealand Government)
Professor Winger has a very strong academic and research background in food science and technology and nutrition. He has served as a member on a number of food-related committees and advisory groups and is currently a member of the ANZFA Board.
The Chief Executive Officer of FSANZ will also be an ex-officio member of the Board.