News
QCONZ set to audit NZFAP from 1 October
Date: 1 August 2023
As of 1 October, the QCONZ team will be delivering audits for the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme (NZFAP). We have been working hard behind the scenes to get systems and processes in place, and from August farmers can expect to start hearing from us regarding audit bookings.
One of our goals was to be more active in certification programmes and move beyond our dairy base. We’d long looked at the red meat and wool sector, deciding that it would be a logical next move given our pastoral farming history. In the NZFAP and NZFAP Plus programmes we saw an exciting opportunity to expand our service offering and our customer base.
The day that we were advised by NZFAI that our proposal was accepted was a very special day for us all. The competitive tender process had galvanised us and to see our hard work pay dividends was a special moment. Since that day, the preparation required to begin delivery has fully engaged each part of the QCONZ delivery arm, with NZFAP Plus rolling out on April 1 of this year and NZFAP to follow in October.
We’re extremely grateful to NZFAI for trusting in our ability to set up our systems and deliver what are nationally significant assurance programmes. The onus is now on us to meet and exceed NZFAI’s expectations.
About NZFAP and NZFAP Plus:
NZFAP and NZFAP Plus are voluntary nationwide farm assurance programmes originally developed under the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP), a joint Primary Growth Partnership initiative between the NZ red meat sector, banks and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
The programmes aim to provide confidence and certainty to consumers worldwide that the meat and wool produced from NZ’s sheep, beef and deer farms is authentic, genuine and safe.
The programmes provide assurance regarding integrity, traceability, animal health and welfare, people, farm and natural resources and biosecurity.
Click to learn more:
https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/technology/nzfap-goes-digital-as-numbers-grow/
Other news
Here at QCONZ, we’re excited to share some news about Eggs!
QCONZ had the opportunity to engage with industry representatives at the Red Meat Sector Conference in Wellington in July. This year, our team participated in the conference under the theme “From our Pasture to your Plate,” highlighting our ongoing involvement in the industry.
Fieldays 2024 was a fantastic opportunity to present our FreshWater Farm Plan (FWFP) tool and reconnect with our clients and wider industry stakeholders.
After an impressive 25-year’s, Murray Pedley, QCONZ’s Major Shareholder, Director, former Board Chair and CEO, has retired.
Murray had the privilege of attending the New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef’s annual conference and AGM in Christchurch in May.
Justin Moss and Josh Wheeler from QCONZ took a trip to Parliament in May to meet with Hon. Andrew Hoggard to discuss Freshwater Farm Plans (FWFPs). We were excited to share our learnings from the past few years.
Big news for New Zealand farmers! QCONZ is excited to share our new FreshWater Farm Plan Tool. It’s a digital helper that makes it easy for farmers to create their freshwater farm plans quickly.
In late October Chris Leach led an MPI dairy development training programme for farmers and extension officers in Pak Chong, Thailand. Pak Chong is the central region of Thailand, approximately a 2 ½ hour drive north of Bangkok, and is at the centre of the developing Thai Dairy Industry.
We were thrilled to be a major sponsor of the New Zealand Association of Resource Management (NZARM) conference held in Christchurch in October.
We flew the QCONZ flag again this year at the annual Red Meat Sector Conference, jointly hosted by the Meat Industry Association and Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd.