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5 January 2025
The roll out and implementation of new primary production and processing standards for berries, leafy vegetables, and melons is due to commence from 12 February 2025 nationally, following their introduction to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code in August 2022.
The standards were developed through Proposal P1052, led by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, while implementation in individual states and the Northern Territory is being coordinated by relevant jurisdictional authorities.
Sate and Territory specific updates and information on implementation is available below.
AUSVEG is continuing to engage with state and territory authorities on the implementation of the standards.
Questions and queries can also be directed to the relevant authority in your jurisdiction.
QUEENSLAND
The Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is continuing to consult with peak industry bodies, fresh markets and growers on the final detail of the regulations, for consideration of the Queensland Parliament in early 2025.
As the process is ongoing, there is limited information available on the projected impact and cost for growers. We will continue to seek further detail, and will share more information once it’s available.
The implementation will be managed by Safe Food Queensland, through an online accreditation application process, including an eligibility test, business profile, fee payment, and possibly a food safety management statement (pending your current food safety accreditation). You will be guided through the steps as part of the online application process.
Applications are expected to open in early 2025. For Queensland-specific updates, growers are encouraged to subscribe to the Safe Food Queensland newsletter here: https://www.safefood.qld.gov.au/horticulture-scheme-subscribe-form/.
AUSVEG will also share further information through its communications channels as it becomes available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: https://www.safefood.qld.gov.au/food-business/queenslands-horticulture-food-safety-scheme/leafy-vegetables/
NEW SOUTH WALES
On 25 November 2024, the NSW Food Authority released the Draft Food Regulation 2025 for public comment. This is a combination of regulations, and also includes the pathway to implement the Primary Production and Processing Standards for melons, berries and leafy vegetables.
AUSVEG is currently considering the Draft NSW Food Regulation 2025 (noting we have an extension until 31st January 2025 to provide a response). The Draft Regulation contains a considerable amount of detail and requirements for all leafy vegetable businesses operating in NSW.
The NSW Food Authority is working with industry Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked food safety scheme owners, including Freshcare, SQF, GLOBALG.A.P and BRCGS to recognise industry audits. This will result in a cost saving for scheme-certified businesses with a good compliance history, and allow for the more targeted use of government resources.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO VIEW THE DRAFT REGULATION, VISIT:
Draft Food Regulation 2025: Have your say | NSW Food Authority.
NB: AUSVEG will be making a submission regarding the draft regulation so please send your feedback to zarmeen.hassan@ausveg.com.au if you would like to provide a view.
VICTORIA
Victoria’s food safety standards for leafy vegetable, melon and berry producers will be regulated by Agriculture Victoria and is proposed to take effect on 12 February 2025.
Producers will be required to register via AV Connect (click here: Agriculture Victoria Connect), and the length of this process will vary depending on your current food safety compliance level. Businesses in recognised food safety schemes, (eg: those under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)) will proceed through a data sharing and verification process to recognise their certification.
If you are not on a GFSI-benchmarked food safety scheme, then the process will take longer. Non-certified businesses must complete an online Food Safety Management Statement (FSMS) and undergo audits by AgVic to confirm compliance. Producers can create an AV Connect account ahead of time to streamline registration.
Agriculture Victoria offers support for businesses to meet their obligations. In support of this Agriculture Victoria has proposed a temporary fee discount/rebate of 50% for 2025 and 2026. Further discounts may be applied in future years at the discretion of Agriculture Victoria.
To get the latest information from the Victorian Government’s rollout of the Standards, please take the time to watch the recording of the webinar held on December 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRA-gzucNVk
Sign up for Agriculture Victoria’s updates here: Get the latest Food Safety Standards Update from Agriculture Victoria
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
Food safety for horticulture producers | Food safety | Biosecurity | Agriculture Victoria
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The new standards will be automatically adopted under the WA Food Act 2008 and commence from 12 February 2025.
Leafy vegetable growers and processors must now legally register as a food business with their local government before the standards commence.
WA Health recognises food safety schemes such as Freshcare, SQF and GLOBALGAP. Growers and processors on an existing food safety scheme will only be required to provide general business contact details and copies of a few forms that are already completed as part of their certification to complete the registration / notification with local government.
To further minimise regulatory burden on industry, growers and processors on a food safety scheme will not be subject to additional routine inspections as they are already audited by a certified independent third-party auditor.
Growers and processors not certified with a recognised food safety scheme will need to demonstrate compliance with the general food safety management requirements of the standards.
Your local government is the relevant enforcement agency for the Primary production and processing standards for leafy vegetables, melons, and berries.
You will need to contact the local government where your farm and/or processing facility is located to obtain the relevant forms for notification/registration.
Your local government contact details are available from the WA Local Government Association website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
Primary production and processing standards for leafy vegetables, melons, and berries
NORTHERN TERRITORY
The standards will take effect in the Northern Territory (NT) from 12 February 2025. Under the Food Act 2004 you will need to comply with any requirement under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). The new standard is in the Code and if you are producing or processing the commodities covered by these standards, you need to make sure you are meeting its requirements.
There are no proposed licencing/registration requirements in the Northern Territory for a business that only undertakes horticulture primary production. However, if you retail direct to the public or substantially transform the food, you will need to register with NT Health as a food business.
If you are certified under a GFSI-benchmarked scheme (eg: Freshcare) then you will be recognised by the Northern Territory Government as already meeting the objectives of the standard.
Melon growers or processors who are not on a GFSI scheme will need to set up a system to manage food safety and formally document how risks will be managed. This is known as a ‘food safety management statement’. To assist with compliance, the following resources are available:
- food safety in horticulture on the FSANZ website, and
- the following template has been created to assist with this process:
NT Farmers have recently distributed a fact sheet to NT growers, which we will also directly forward on to relevant growers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
Primary production and processing standards | NT.GOV.AU
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) have prepared the SA Horticulture regulation discussion paper, which has been presented to the South Australian Minister for consideration along with industry comments and concerns.
It is proposed the Primary Produce (Food Safety Schemes) (Plant Products) Act 2022 is varied to adopt the horticulture standards (including melons). SA businesses will be required to operate under an approved food safety arrangement under section 16 of the Act. Food safety arrangements require approval by the Minister’s delegate. Businesses that have a food safety arrangement (food safety program) in place already may propose this arrangement, for example Freshcare. The businesses that do not have a food safety arrangement in place will be provided a template which they can fill out, which details their food safety arrangements.
Growers and primary processors (for example, pack-houses) must:
- identify and control food safety hazards associated with growing and primary processing of leafy vegetables
- have an approved food safety management statement which includes notifying regulators of their activities.
Applies to:
- vegetables of a leafy nature where the leaf is consumed raw
- includes baby leaves, lettuce, and leafy herbs
- does not include seed sprouts.
Further insight on progress towards implementation will be provided as it becomes available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/food_safety/horticulture
TASMANIA
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Tasmania is currently working on the development of draft regulations for consultation. AUSVEG will be engaging in the consultation process as it develops.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND UPDATES AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, VISIT:
https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/product-integrity/food-safety