Traceability Mandatory for Pork Producers

Traceability Mandatory for Pork Producers

All New Zealand pork producers will be required to complete an Animal Status Declaration (ASD) when moving pigs within New Zealand as well as when sending them for slaughter as from 1 March this year.

An amendment notice issued in 2005 to the Animal Products Act 1999, under the Specifications for Products intended for Human Consumption, makes an ASD for Pigs mandatory for all pig movements. The new form differs slightly from the form currently in use, which has been required for all pigs sent to slaughter, and which has covered other movements of pigs on a voluntary basis.

The new forms are available from the New Zealand Pork Industry Board free of charge to registered producers. Other persons will be charged $25.00 per book of 25 forms.

The purpose of the ASD is to provide key information about an animal or animals to the farm or slaughterhouse to which they are being transferred.

The Board’s Chief Executive, Angus Davidson, said that the new legislation requiring an ASD for Pigs bought the pork industry into line with other export meat sectors and was vital in providing consumers both here in New Zealand as well as our newly established export markets with traceability back to the farm.

“Although the industry has been traditionally a domestic one and initially an ASD was not mandatory, our own producers took the initiative in 2002 and instructed the Board to draw up an ASD which would provide traceability back to the farm and provided product information for consumers. In 2004 the ASD became mandatory for all pigs slaughtered.

“We were very pleased that the concept has been endorsed by New Zealand pork producers who recognised that consumers need assurances relating to the quality and suitability of the product they are purchasing.

“Now that it is compulsory to supply an ASD for Pigs with all movements of pigs we have a sound traceability system providing information about how and when New Zealand Pork is produced - information that is not available with imported product,” he said.

ENDS

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