6561 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister for Food Safety

6561 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister for Food Safety: How many roles, if any, have been identified for disestablishment in New Zealand Food Safety, resulting from the Government’s directive to reduce expenditure in the public service, listed by role title and remuneration band?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: As part of the Budget 2024/25 programme, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) was asked by the Government to find savings of 7.5 percent for the financial year starting 1 July 2024. MPI is not proposing any reductions to frontline services and statutory roles, such as veterinarians, animal welfare, fishery and food compliance officers, or biosecurity teams at the border. MPI is currently consulting with staff and no final decisions have been made.