June 5, 2009
New Zealand issues new standards for feed imports
Biosecurity New Zealand of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has issued new standards for the importing of vegetable-based animal feed after insects were found multiple times in shipments from Asian countries.
The new rules require higher level of inspection of shipments on arrival, increased treatment regimes for the products or seeds, to ensure insects such as flies and maggots are killed.
But Federated Farmers grain council chairman Ian Morten prefers closer audits of phytosanitary certificates from overseas and a closer examination of those countries which do not comply.
Morten said the importers should pay for the clean-up, not the farmers.
Biosecurity New Zealand manager of plant imports and exports, Stephen Butcher, said farmers can have faith in the system, as officials work closely with authorities in exporting countries to ensure accurate certificates, continuously monitor imports and have a high level of verification of the certification process.