Labelling Requirements for Feed and Fertiliser

To ensure BSE doesn’t infect New Zealand ruminants, feed and fertiliser must be labelled correctly and conform to the requirements set out in Clauses 13 and 14 of the Biosecurity (Ruminant Protein) Regulations 2010.

The labelling requirements apply to anyone who produces, sells, or distributes feed or fertiliser containing ruminant protein.

Ruminant protein is protein taken from the tissue of an animal that chews cud, for example cattle, sheep, goats, deer and, buffaloes and other ruminant animals. Meat-and-bone meal (MBM), blood meal and bone meal are examples of ruminant protein. Dairy produce is excluded from the definition of ruminant protein.

The Regulations define feed as any food for animals produced in premises where ruminant protein is produced, rendered, or utilised.

What you must label and how

Feed

All feed that contains or may contain ruminant protein must display the following label on the front of the feed bag.

NOTICE: DO NOT FEED TO SHEEP, CATTLE, DEER, GOATS, BUFFALOES, OR OTHER RUMINANT ANIMALS. THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS OR MAY CONTAIN RUMINANT PROTEIN.

There can be no variation to the words or phrases on the label.

Fertiliser

Anyone producing, selling, or distributing fertiliser that contains ruminant protein must display the following notice on the packaging:

NOTICE: DO NOT FEED TO SHEEP, CATTLE, DEER, GOATS, BUFFALOES, OR OTHER RUMINANT ANIMALS. THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS OR MAY CONTAIN RUMINANT PROTEIN.

A label required by regulation 13 must—

  • be conspicuous and easily legible; and
  • be made of durable material so that it will last for the lifetime of the packaged feed or fertiliser while the feed or fertiliser is being stored or used; and
  • comply with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) as the case may be, depending on which results in the smallest label:

(i)      the label must occupy a minimum of 2.5% of the total area of:

  • the outside of the flattened package relating to the feed or fertiliser as circumscribed by the stitch lines or folds of the package:
  • the printed side of the invoice that relates to the feed or fertiliser, in the case of a bulk supply of feed or fertiliser:
  • the container (excluding the top and bottom of the container) that contains the feed or fertiliser; or

(ii)     the text on the label must be printed in letters that are at least 20 mm high; and

  • § be permanently stamped on, affixed to, or marked on the front of the package immediately below the top stitch line or fold of the package or the container (excluding the top and bottom of the container), as the case may be.

Invoices, Waybills or similar documents

Invoices, waybills and any supporting documentation that accompany feed and fertiliser that is sold in bulk must be permanently stamped, affixed or marked with the notice that would have been applied on packages if sold bagged. The information notice must be clear, legible and large – at least 2.5% of the total area of the printed side of the invoice, waybill, or similar document.

PENALTIES
It is an offence to breach the labelling requirement specified in the Biosecurity (Ruminant Protein) Regulations 1999.  Failure to label feed or fertiliser correctly may result in a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals and $15,000 for companies.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do packages of pet food containing ruminant protein need to be labelled with the ruminant protein information?

The Regulations do not apply to pet food packaged for retail sale for dogs and cats.

What type of notice should appear on a feed bag that does not contain ruminant protein and will be fed to non-ruminant animals?

The type of notice will depend on how the non-ruminant feed is produced.

  1. If the feed is manufactured in premises that do not render, use or store ruminant protein – the Regulations do not apply and the feed bags do not need to carry any notice.  However, to help buyers to make an informed decision, it is recommended that the bags be labelled ‘can be fed to ruminants’.
  2. If non ruminant feed is produced in premises with a MAF-approved Ruminant Protein Control Programme and manufactured through a Dedicated Ruminant Feed Processing Line, feed that does not contain ruminant protein does not need to carry any notice.  Only feed containing ruminant protein, in terms of the regulations, is required to be labelled ‘Notice: Do not feed to sheep, cattle, deer, goats, buffaloes or other ruminant animals’. This product contains or may contain ruminant protein.
  3. If the feed is manufactured in a premises that renders, uses, or stores ruminant protein and does not have a MAF-approved Ruminant Protein Control Programme, the bags must be labelled as ‘Notice: Do not feed to sheep, cattle, deer, , goats, buffaloes or other ruminant animals’. This product contains or may contain ruminant protein.

Page last updated: 8 June 2011