Stakeholder Update - Expressions of Interest to Attend Public Information Session

3 November 2008

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO ATTEND PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION
on the Standard for General Transitional Facilities for Holding, Inspection, Processing or Treatment of Uncleared Risk Goods (TF Gen)

MAFBNZ is proposing to hold a series of public information sessions on the new MAF Standard for general transitional facilities (TF Gen). The new standard is expected to be released by the end of this year and come into force by February 2009. The types of facilities that are covered under the new standard are facilities currently approved under the following standards:

• 152.04.03f - Requirements for holding and processing facilities
• BNZ STD TFSCO - requirements for transitional facilities for sea containers
• PBC-NZ-STD-FACIL-FLIGHT – requirements for flight kitchens (transitional facilities)
• PBC-NZ-STD-FACIL-REFUSE – requirements for incineration/ sterilisation facilities for quarantine refuse or uncleared risk goods
• 154.02.18- transitional facilities for animal products
• 154.02.17 – transitional facilities for receiving and holding of biological products ONLY (not using or processing of the product)

The proposed public information sessions will cover the intent of the new standard and any new requirements. It will also provide a forum for any questions that people may have. Dates and locations for the proposed three sessions are below.

Please reply to this expression of interest by 17 November 2008. You can post or fax it to MAFBNZ, or you may send an email. A printable version of this message with application form (54 KB) is available. Please include the following information:

• Which location you will be attending
• Expected number of attendees from your company
• Name of transitional facility and registration number (if applicable)
• Postal address, phone and email contact details
• Any comments or queries regarding the new standard

Email: standards@maf.govt.nz

Fax: 04 8940228
Post: TF Gen Road Show
c/o Linda Luong
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
PO Box 2526, Wellington 6011

You will receive a confirmation of your expression of interest.

It is planned that once the standard has come into force there will be a 12 month progressive implementation phase to allow existing facilities to meet the new regulations. Starting February 2009, Inspectors will audit existing facilities against the new standard and will issue corrective action request(s) (CARs) for facilities that do not meet the new requirements. CARs are expected to be followed-up within the standard agreed upon date. It is expected that all facilities will meet the new requirements by early 2010.

MAFBNZ will continue to send out stakeholder notification letters, and the Transitional Facilities website will be updated regularly. 

Contact standards@maf.govt.nz or your local MAFBNZ Inspector should you have questions about this new standard and your facility.

Yours sincerely,

Tania Marinas
Team Manager, Operations and Facilities Group