21 December 2009
Media Release
Asurequality Approved by MAF to Carry Out Accredited Persons Training
AsureQuality has been appointed by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) as an approved training provider for Accredited
Persons training.
MAFBNZ requires all sea container transitional facilities to appoint one or more Accredited Persons (AP) to be
responsible for checking imported containers. Under the MAFBNZ Standard for General Transitional Facilities and the
Import Health Standard for Sea Containers, an Accredited Person is required to be present when a sea container is opened
to check for pests and diseases potentially harmful to New Zealand.
“AsureQuality has a long history working with MAFBNZ and a proven track record in delivering Biosecurity services. With
over 450 biosecurity events behind us we believe our experience in this area will prove invaluable when delivering
Accredited Persons training,” said Andrea Murray, AsureQuality Business Manager – Biosecurity.
“We will be running regular courses throughout the North and South Islands to meet the needs of those current APs
wishing to renew their certificate or new people looking to become qualified. Courses have already begun in Auckland and
Hamilton,” continued Andrea.
For a person to become accredited they must have undertaken and passed the MAFBNZ approved basic biosecurity awareness
training course with an Approved Training Provider. Once they have passed the initial training, all Accredited Persons
need to pass a refresher training course every two years.
AsureQuality is a commercial company 100 percent owned by the New Zealand government and provides food safety and
biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors. The company taps into staff and resources from across
its divisions to create a team of over 300 highly-trained biosecurity professionals available on call 24/7 to respond to
biosecurity emergencies. The team coordinates the delivery of response services by AsureQuality and a network of
supporting organisations.
Anyone interested in AP training can contact AsureQuality Customer Services on 0508 00 11 22.
ENDS