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 1999.

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, alpacas and llamas. 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 ruminant protein must display the following label on the front of the feed bag.

NOTICE: NOT TO BE FED TO SHEEP, CATTLE, DEER, ALPACAS, GOATS OR OTHER RUMINANT ANIMALS

Feed that does not contain ruminant protein must display one of the following notices on the feed bag. 

NOTICE: SUITABLE FOR FEEDING TO (insert ruminant species or type)

NOTICE: SUITABLE FOR INCLUSION IN FEED INTENDED FOR RUMINANT ANIMALS


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: NOT TO BE FED TO SHEEP, CATTLE, DEER, ALPACAS GOATS OR OTHER RUMINANT ANIMALS


Labelling Specifications:

Packaging

Labels on feed and fertiliser packaging must be:

  • clearly visible,
  • legible,
  • fade-resistant,
  • permanently stamped, attached or marked on the packaging, and
  • large – occupy at least 5% of the total area covered by all labelling of the feed or the fertiliser. The phrase ‘total area covered by all labelling’ means the area covered by all lettering that is printed on the package (front, back, top, bottom and the sides), including the area covered by lettering in pictures, logos and graphics on the package. 

Invoices and Waybills

Invoices, waybills and any supporting documentation that accompany feed and fertiliser that is sold in bulk must be clearly stamped, labelled 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 5% of the total area covered by all the lettering on the invoices and the waybills.

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 the feed is produced in a premises with a MAF-approved Ruminant Protein Control Programme and manufactured through a Dedicated Ruminant Feed Processing Line, the Regulations permit the feed bags to display one of the following two labels: ‘Notice: suitable for feeding to <insert ruminant species or type>’ or ‘Notice: suitable for inclusion in feed intended for ruminant animals’.

3.       If the feed is produced in a premises with a MAF-approved Ruminant Protein Control Programme but is not manufactured through a Dedicated Ruminant Feed Processing Line, the bags must then be labelled as ‘Notice: not to be fed to sheep, cattle, deer, alpacas, goats or other ruminant animals’.

4.       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: not to be fed to sheep, cattle, deer, alpacas, goats or other ruminant animals’.

Page last updated: 30 April 2008