The Food Bill, designed to replace out-dated food safety legislation, passed through select committee scrutiny without much fuss.
It will return to parliament sometime this year but opponents have decided it will mean the end of bring and buy stalls and sausage sizzles and that we won’t be able to swap home-grown vegetables with our neighbours.
Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson says that’s nonsense:
If it becomes law, the Bill will require those involved in the commercial trade of food to operate under one of three regulatory systems, depending on the level of food safety risk involved.
This means that a high-risk business, such as a restaurant or a baby food manufacturer, would need to meet more robust requirements and operate under a regulated “food control plan”.
Businesses categorised as presenting a medium risk, such as bakeries or pre-packaged food manufacturers, would be regulated under “national programmes”, which would take a more generic and flexible approach.
Those in the lowest risk category – including small traders such as those running roadside stalls or selling their own horticultural produce at markets, charity sausage sizzles and bake sales – would receive free “food-handler guidance” information, and incur no extra costs.
Food Safety officers may not be ‘armed’ but like IRD auditors they now are above civil and criminal prosecution when on the job: why do they need police state powers such as that? I’m more than wary of this constant strengthening of the fist of State. And I’m not too sure, but I suspect they don’t need warrants either? (If some who wants to read through 360 pages of legislation, perhaps they could edify me on that latter point).
Also, why do we need food regulation at all? Especially three layers of bureaucracy? In other words, what issues are food (and for that matter, building) regulation covering that aren’t already legitimately covered by criminal law?
National is supposed to be the party of limited government: well this is still the Nanny State no matter what spin Wilkinson puts on it. There’s too many damned laws, and too many damned bureaucrats foisting and forcing them on us. I’m sick of it.
I, husband and friends have had more food poisoning ‘episodes’ from so called safe regulation restaurants than any farmers market. Shame on you National and most of all shame on you Kate Wilkinson you are another nanny state idiot.
So where did this number come from hmmm
Plucked out of thin air to justify a growth in bureaucracy and intrusive government most likely.
Proving ponce again that National is just another leftwing party hell bent on increasing control over every aspect of their serfs lives.
I’m not convinced by these soothing noises from Kate.
Say you own a farmstay and use your vege garden or homekill and you’re on rainwater. Well that’s all over rover. I’m very familiar with MaF and FSA Haccp plans. These hi-vis dickheads with clipboards will be all over you like a cheap suit. I knew something was up years ago when FSA sent out a questionaire asking about game meat…a bureaucracy will bloat like a cow on clover if they can find any excuse. The statistics basis about food-borne illness was “complaints” — not proven cases. How easy is it for a competitor to lodge a rumour? Real easy. I don’t trust FSA as far as I could throw them.
The minister’s explanation makes it clear the legislation will do all of that without the draconian approach opponents said the Bill takes.
Given what other ministers have said about other pieces of legislation (e.g. the search and surveillance bill, and the electoral finance bill), that a minister says a law will do something (or is intended to do something), does not mean that it actually does. The minister may be right, and the bill has been perfectly drafted to properly reflect her government’s benign intent, but just because she says it doesn’t make it true.
Lead balloon, Ele.
Lead balloon.
Even your own know it stinks.
Anyone who has experienced bullying inspectors from Environment Councils will not believe such soothing remarks. Just ask any dairy farmer. Type in the name of any environment court judge and read the horror stories. Right across the spectrum of society. NO. I just don’t believe national party smarmy talk. Or trust them. What about Nick Smith and the ETS. Pity the poor suckers that believed him. Quite frankly, I don’t know how they get away with such behaviour.