Hutchison Paul: Animal Products (Dairy Products and Other Matters) Bill — In Committee 
Hutchison Paul: Animal Products (Dairy Products and Other Matters) Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:624;Page:19139] 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Port Waikato) 
: 
 I note the policy objectives of this important technical legislation known as the Animal Products (Dairy Products and Other Matters) Bill are indeed fundamental to the hugely important dairy industry of New Zealand. They include management of the risks to human and animal health from the consumption and use of dairy products and the facilitation of the entry of dairy products to overseas markets by providing the controls and mechanisms needed for market access and the giving of official assurances. 
Undoubtedly the National Party supports this bill.It is of a technical nature and it is indeed one of the very necessary safeguards to ensure that our vital dairy export industry is right at the forefront of the world that it is able to carry out its business around the world in an effective efficient manner and that our magnificent dairy products are given the full opportunity to be exported in a highly effective way. As the member of Parliament for Port Waikato proudly representing one of the finest dairy areas in New Zealand I say that it is indeed right and proper that we in the National Party support this bill which has been supported strongly by the industry. 
I must mention that the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand consists of the major exporters in the country. It represents Fonterra Mainland Products New Zealand Dairy Foods Tatua Cooperative Dairy Co. and Westland Cooperative Dairy Co. and has strongly supported this bill. The association is concerned of course about some of the aspects of ensuring that in this process the bureaucracy does not get out of hand. I must concur with my colleague Brian Connelly that it is a worry to see the reflex reactions of this socialist Labour Government. It is so intent on increasing bureaucracy in New Zealand and putting up hurdles for exporters that it is vital that those tendencies are kept in balance. 
Clause 13 is one of the important measures in this bill; it deals with the area of export requirements and official assurances. New section 60 of the principal Act inserted by clause 13 states: “(1) The Director-General may by notice issued under this section specify requirements in relation to all or any class or description of animal material or animal product intended for export if the Director-General is satisfied that the setting of the requirements—(a) is necessary or desirable” etc. I notice that the Primary Production Committee makes the point in its commentary on the bill that: “We do not recommend any change to clause 13 allowing the Director-General of Agriculture and Forestry to issue notices specifying requirements to be met in relation to animal material or animal products intended for export.” But the commentary does state: “While consultation would provide checks and balances”—and I think it is referring to the New Zealand Food Safety Authority which is well known for being bureaucratic and has the mark of the Hon Annette King on it in terms of its bureaucracy—“we consider that it is not practical to consult on all market access requirement issues.” I absolutely concur with that. 
The select committee points out in the commentary: “Some of the matters will be of an urgent nature requiring fast resolution in order to ensure access to the particular market while other changes will be of a minor or technical nature meaning the increased compliance cost of consulting would outweigh any potential benefits.” That is why it is so important that we do indeed have clause 13 which does mean that the Director-General of Agriculture and Forestry can give official assurances. The commentary also states: “Many negotiations are restricted and confidential and a consultation requirement would not be appropriate.” All that is about our exporters being able to be nimble on their feet to do things efficiently and effectively and not to have to wait for the sort of bureaucracy that this Labour Government is so intent on putting before New Zealand businesses.