Retrograde meat inspection changes threaten meat trade

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PSA MEDIA RELEASE

18th May 2012 - For Immediate Use

Retrograde meat inspection changes threaten valuable meat trade

The Public Service Association says allowing meat companies to do their own meat inspections is a retrograde step in quality control and could threaten New Zealand’s valuable meat trade.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is going ahead with plans to allow meat companies to start carrying out their own meat inspections, saying it has got the all clear from New Zealand’s trading partners.

Previously all meat has been inspected by government meat inspectors employed by AsureQuality but this decision will mean that export meat plants can now use their own in-house processes.

PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff says “independent government inspection plays a vital part in the meat industry. It gives a guarantee to overseas consumers that the New Zealand meat they are buying is a product of high value and one they can trust.”

“Do we really want to put one of our most valuable export industries at risk to save the relatively minor cost of independent government inspections?”

The PSA says the decision also sets up an inherent conflict of interest.

“Meat companies are largely driven by production targets and profit and this decision sets the scene for short cuts to be taken and for commercial interests to override robust standards of quality control,” says Mr Wagstaff.

“It’s disappointing to see the government and the meat industry allowing these changes to go ahead. They have the potential to seriously compromise the high quality reputation of the New Zealand meat brand overseas and the health of consumers.”

“At a time when border incursions threaten our fruit industry it does not seem a logical approach to reduce the role of independent government inspection in meat plants.”

The PSA is continuing to work with AsureQuality to look for an outcome that will provide security for its members while still protecting New Zealand’s valuable meat trade.

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