The Standards Focus Group advocates for effective regulation, ensuring we maintain our international reputation for producing safe and compliant products. We watch over the standards, compliance and regulatory framework that support the apiculture sector, inform our members on key issues, and work with stakeholders and government to make sure industry is consulted and our views are heard.

WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON

The Standards Focus Group is working across a number of areas including:

Pryrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs)

We have completed a research project looking at the distribution and typical levels of PAs in NZ honey. PAs are plant toxins found in many foodstuffs, and while we don’t see any immediate concerns with our honey, we want to be well informed and ensure our industry knows how to avoid or better manage the potential risk.  The findings of this project can be found here.

Reducing Compliance Costs

Looking at options to reduce compliance costs including remote verification under the Food Act and the need for two verification audits on export premises, especially for compliant premises.

Tutin Education

Ensuring an ongoing and targeted education campaign for Tutin, a plant toxin found in tutu plants. This is a very real issue for New Zealand’s honey industry. Everyone needs to know about the risks from tutin and their legal obligations.  To understand tutin and the risks – check out the tutin video and fact sheet