3200 (2026). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for Food Safety

Written Question

Published date: 23 Feb 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	3200 (2026)
Question asked:	04 Feb 2026
Member asking:	Hon Rachel Brooking
Portfolio:	Minister for Food Safety
Minister replying:	Hon Andrew Hoggard
Answer received:	17 Feb 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_03200_2026
Document guid:	d73dbdbe-d9d2-4ae6-a32c-784ed5f49a2a

3200 (2026). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for Food Safety: Is there a problem the Government is seeking to solve with the proposal to transfer meat inspection responsibilities from AsureQuality to meat processing companies, and if so, what is it and what evidence supports this?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: The Ministry for Primary Industries advises the intent of this work is to more closely align New Zealand’s export red meat system with international guidelines (Codex Alimentarius Code of Hygienic Practice for Meat) and the domestic requirements of the Animal Products Act 1999, while supporting market access and maintaining high food safety standards.