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10/02 26 June 2002 FINAL ASSESSMENT REPORT (INQUIRY - S.26) PROPOSAL P248 – DEVELOPMENT OF ‘STOCK-IN-TRADE’ PROVISIONS (VOLUME 2 OF THE FOOD STANDARDS CODE) PROPOSAL P252 - TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR REPEAL OF VOLUME 1 OF THE FOOD STANDARDS CODE TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... 4 1. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Regulatory framework ............................................................................................... 6 1.2 Concluding the transitional period ............................................................................. 7 1.3 ‘Stock-in-trade’ provisions ........................................................................................ 8 2. OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Objectives for the repeal of Volume 1 of the Food Standards Code......................... 8 3. FOOD STANDARDS SETTING IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ................. 9 4. OPTIONS FOR REGULATION ..................................................................................... 11 4.1 Proposal P252 – Transitional arrangements for repeal of Volume 1 of the Food Standards Code .................................................................................................................... 11 4.2 Proposal P248 – development of ‘stock-in-trade’ provision (Volume 2 of the Food Standards Code)................................................................................................................... 12 5. AFFECTED PARTIES .................................................................................................... 12 5.1 Consumers in Australia and New Zealand............................................................... 12 6. IMPACT ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................... 12 6.1 Proposal P252 – Transitional arrangements for repeal of Volume 1 of the Food Standards Code .................................................................................................................... 12 Government.......................................................................................................................... 12 Consumers............................................................................................................................ 13 Industry ................................................................................................................................ 13 Government.......................................................................................................................... 13 Consumers............................................................................................................................ 14 Industry ................................................................................................................................ 14 6.2 Proposal p248 – Development of ‘stock-in-trade’ provision (Volume 2 of the Food Standards Code)................................................................................................................... 14 7. EVALUATION OF ISSUES RAISED IN SUBMISSIONS ........................................... 16 7.1 Proposal P252 – Transitional arrangements for repeal of Volume 1 of the Food Standards Code .................................................................................................................... 16 7.2 Stock-in-trade ........................................................................................................... 21 7.3 ‘Stock-in-trade’ for amendments to the Food Standards Code following the conclusion of the transition period ....................................................................................... 21 7.4. ‘Stock-in-trade’ for packaging materials ................................................................. 22 7.5 Standard drink labelling for alcoholic beverages produced in New Zealand .......... 23 7.6 Transitional standard for New Zealand Food Regulations 1984 ............................. 23 8. ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................ 25 8.1 Proposal P252 – transitional arrangements for repeal of Volume 1 of the Food Standards Code .................................................................................................................... 25 8.2 Proposal P248 – Development of ‘stock-in-trade’ provision (Volume 2 of the Food Standards Code)................................................................................................................... 29 9. WTO NOTIFICATION ................................................................................................... 31 10. CONSULTATION ....................................................................................................... 32 10.1 Simplified procedures .............................................................................................. 32 11. CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................ 32 ATTACHMENTS .................................................................................................................... 33 Attachment 1 ............................................................................................................................ 34 `STATEMENT OF REASONS ........................................................................................... 34 Attachment 2 ............................................................................................................................ 37 2 Attachment 3 ............................................................................................................................ 75 Attachment 4 ............................................................................................................................ 85 Skills and resources needed by SMEs ........................................................................................... 85 Chain of product distribution ....................................................................................................... 85 Delayed release of User Guides ................................................................................................... 85 Whilst HWA has moved forward on the change over project, a number of external events has slowed the process down: .......................................................................................................................... 94 Modified Milks Division 3 – New Zealand Only ............................................................................. 99 Amino Acid Modified Foods ........................................................................................................... 99 Attachment 5 .......................................................................................................................... 105 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On 24 November 2000, the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council (ANZFSC) adopted what is currently referred to as Volume 2 of the Food Standards Code (Volume 2). At the time of adoption, Ministers agreed (in principle) to a two year ‘transition period’ in which the new parts of the Food Standards Code (known as Volume 2), would operate in parallel with existing provisions at that time. This means that in Australia, Volume 1 of the Food Standards Code (Volume 1) would operate in parallel with, and as an alternative to Volume 2 in Australia. In New Zealand food would, during the transitional period, be able to comply with Volume 1, Volume 2 or the New Zealand Food Regulations (1984) (NZFR). ANZFA now proposes that Volume 1 should be repealed on 20 December 2002 and draft Part 1.1A should be included in Volume 2. Part 1.1A transfers matters, currently cross- referenced in Volume 2 (Standard 1.1.3) or included in the New Zealand Food Regulations 1984, into Part 1.1A, also retaining parts of Volume 1 for which reviews have not yet been completed. ANZFA is currently considering or has recently finalised a number of Proposals (Infant formula, Health claims, Country of Origin labelling and labelling of Pollen and Royal Jelly). Where these reviews result in a new Standards in Volume 2, it is anticipated that industry will be able to comply with Part 1.1A or the new Standard for a period of two years from the commencement of the new Standard. At the conclusion of this two-year transitional period the alternative standard contained in Part 1.1A will cease to have effect. The New Zealand standards to be repealed (in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand establishing a system for the Development of joint Food Standards (the Treaty)) are found in the New Zealand Food Regulations (1984). The New Zealand Ministry of Health has consulted on the repeal of relevant aspects of the New Zealand Food Regulations 1984, which will take effect upon the expiration of the transition period. Public consultation in relation to the discussion document closed in late May 2002. The Ministry of Health is currently preparing a summary and analysis of submissions and recommendations so that the Minister can decide on the repeal arrangements. Prior to the issue being raised by Health