O'Connor DamienFOOD (CONTINUATION OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS REGULATIONS) AMENDMENT BILLFirst ReadingHon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister for Food Safety): I move That the Food (Continuation of Dietary Supplements Regulations) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Primary Production Committee to consider the bill. The bill aims to provide certainty and continuity to New Zealand's dietary supplements industry. Demand for health and wellness products is high in New Zealand and indeed overseas. Dietary supplements are products that provide specific nutrients or substances that supplement the diet usually in the form of capsules tablets liquids or powders. Examples include vitamin and mineral supplements omega-3 fish oils and glucosamine tablets. It's important from a health and safety perspective that we continue to have oversight and regulations of ingredients and product labelling. We need to ensure that protective measures are in place such as minimum doses for vitamins and minerals and the prohibition of misleading statements and therapeutic claims in labelling. Through regulation and oversight we provide confidence and assurance to consumers that these products are safe and do what they say they do. This ensures the maintenance both domestically and internationally of New Zealand as a provider of safe and reputable dietary supplements. Such a brand and such a reputation of reliability are critical to the industry. It's estimated that New Zealand's natural product industry the majority of which is represented by dietary supplements was worth approximately $2.3 billion in 2019. This is a growth of 64 percent since 2014—indeed outstanding performance and growth. By extending the regulations we will secure the ongoing growth and sustainability of the industry. The purpose of this bill is to maintain consumers' current access to New Zealand dietary supplements until a fit-for-purpose natural health products regulatory regime can commence. The bill will ensure the continued operation and function of pre-existing safety measures while we take the necessary time to develop and implement a new regime. In a time of great uncertainty for many New Zealanders this bill provides stability in the status quo. It allows businesses to continue to operate with certainty and provides a period of assurance. The bill achieves this by extending the Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 by five years to 1 March 2026. A five-year period is proposed to avoid further extensions that would needlessly require resources from both officials and the House. It should not be interpreted as meaning the new regime will take five years to implement. We hope it will take far less. It instead allows sufficient time to implement the natural health products regime and provides a minimum two-year transition period. It recognises the challenges of accommodating conflicting interests in bringing a comprehensive regulation package for natural health products. It also takes into account changing health priorities due to unforeseen events such as COVID-19.In closing I note that this bill provides certainty and continuity to New Zealand's dietary supplements industry ensuring a business-as-usual approach. During this period the regulations will continue to offer specified safeguards that will protect the interests of consumers both domestically and internationally. Our products will continue to be safe and relationships built as a result will be secure. Mr Speaker I am proud to commend this bill to the House.