High volumes of imported pork flood NZ
Over 40,000 metric tons (MT) of overseas pork from 22 countries were imported into New Zealand in 2023.
Kiwi consumers are being urged to look out for labels showing pork is 100% New Zealand born and raised with the introduction of new food labelling regulations.
The Commerce Commission has issued guidance to support compliance with the new Country of Origin for Food regulations, which come into force on 12 February.
Under the new regulations, fresh pork and cured pork for retail sale must be labelled with the country or countries where the animal was raised.
Cured pork includes bacon, ham, prosciutto and other preserved pork products containing at least 66% of whole pieces of pork, such as pickled pork.
However, imported pork processed into other products in New Zealand, including marinated pork and sausages, are not covered by the regulations because they fall outside the cured pork definition. They will only be required to be labelled with the name of the New Zealand manufacturer or retailer.
NZPork chief executive David Baines says the organisation’s research has shown that Kiwis expect and prefer the meat they buy to have been grown in New Zealand.
“Although we ultimately want labelling where imported pork is being used to be far more prominent, we welcome the introduction of these new requirements. This will shine a light on this area and give consumers more clarity about the origin of pork in at least some of the further processed products,” Baines says.
“We will be encouraging those using born and raised New Zealand pork in their products to emphasise and promote New Zealand origin far more prominently than the regulations require because that is what Kiwis want.
“Kiwis should look for the ‘100 per cent NZ’ pork labelling or NZPork’s PigCare label on pork packaging,” he explains.
“This will help provide consumers with the confidence that they are ‘buying local’, knowing they are supporting Kiwi farmers and purchasing pork raised to high levels of animal welfare.”
Troubled milk processor Synlait's share price is taking a hammering as nervous investors offload their stakes.
Solar generation company, Lodestone Energy is now delivering energy from its second solar farm, Rangitaiki in the Bay of Plenty.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being urged to their say in the upcoming levy referendum to enable Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) to continue its work for the sector.
James and Debbie Stewart from Dairylands in Manawatu impressed judges and took out the 2024 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award.
Manawatu farmers Will Hinton and Kali Rangiawha have scooped the 2024 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year.
More bull breeders are using genetic tools according to the latest research.
OPINION: This old mutt well remembers the wailing, whining and gnashing of teeth by former West Coast MP and Labour…
OPINION: Your canine crusader gets a little fed up with the some in media, union hacks, opposition politicians and hard-core…