HortNZ said that it has requested to appear before the select committee to speak to the submission. The Bill makes improvements and enhancements to three Acts governing the food safety system.

The select committee’s report is due by 16 February 2017.

HortNZ’s submission strongly supports measures to ensure food safety, but says that this needs to be balanced with the importance of keeping compliance costs in check by aligning the existing certification schemes, and by maintaining regulator/business confidentiality.

The submission is available for viewing on the HortNZ website.