MPI Food Act 2014 recognition of GAP standards renewed
4 November 2021
The Ministry for Primary Industry’s (MPI) recognition that NZGAP and GLOBALG.A.P. meet Food Act 2014 obligations has been renewed. At the same time, NZGAP GLOBALG.A.P Equivalent has been added.
Continued recognition of the GAP standards is another major milestone in the development and delivery of an integrated assurance system that is effective and efficient for growers, while delivering on the outcome of producing safe and suitable food under the Food Act 2014.
NZGAP will be in contact with growers in the coming weeks to outline the additional requirements to comply with the Food Act via NZGAP or NZGAP GLOBALG.A.P. Equivalent. The GLOBALG.A.P. standard is currently undergoing a major review to version 6, which will be put forward for approval by MPI when finalised in mid-2022.
In 2018, MPI formally recognised NZGAP, GLOBALG.A.P. and British Retail Consortium (BRC) as Template Food Control Plans under the Food Act 2014. This meant that these certified growers could meet their obligations under the Food Act with no additional audits. The recognition lasted three years and has been renewed by MPI in collaboration with HortNZ, NZGAP and the NZ GLOBALG.A.P. National Technical Working Group. NZGAP GLOBALG.A.P.