AsureQuality Limited

AsureQuality testing for Carbendazim

AsureQuality is now testing for Carbendazim residue on all products containing orange juice or concentrate and other citrus products.

The use of Carbendazim as a fungicide on oranges is illegal in some countries, including America. Due to a potential contamination risk, the American FDA is now analysing orange juice products from all countries and will not allow product with any carbendazim residue to enter their market.

If you export or import product containing orange juice or concentrate you may need to show that it is free of carbendazim residue, or in compliance with regulatory limits, to gain access to your market and confirm product safety.

Call AsureQuality now to discuss how we can help you.

NZ: 0508 00 11 22 or +64 9 573 8000

Australia: 1800 24 74 78 or +61 3 8318 9001

Singapore: +65 6742 2006

CEO of AsureQuality Resigns

Tony Egan, Chief Executive Officer of AsureQuality, has resigned from AsureQuality to take up the position of Managing Director, Greenlea Premier Meats Ltd. Greenlea is an Egan family company with which Tony has had prior association and to which he wishes to return. Tony will leave AsureQuality in December.

Tony has been with AsureQuality for five years, initially as Chief Executive Officer of AgriQuality and then Chief Executive Officer of AsureQuality when AgriQuality and ASURE merged to create a new State-Owned Enterprise.

Tony has made an important contribution to the company, leading it through the merger and subsequent consolidation into one company and he is leaving the company in a good position.

The directors are sorry to lose Tony, and thank him for his input over the last five years and wish him the very best in his new venture.

The Board has begun a search process for the new Chief Executive Officer and will advise once the process is complete.

Janine Smith

Chair

Award Winning Customer Service

For the third year in a row AsureQuality has taken first place in the Public Services/SOE category at the annual CRM Contact Centre Awards, held at Auckland SKYCITY Convention Centre on Friday 2 September.

The team then went on to win the Silver Award for customer service across all sectors in New Zealand (up to 50 seats), and is now one of the top three customer service centres in the country.

The Contact Centre Awards, run by CRM Consulting Limited, provide a ‘snap-shot’ of how New Zealand contact centres are responding to customer enquiries, through an independent audit process that involves mystery shopper phone calls and emails. A broad range of industries participates in the awards, which celebrate the highest levels of customer service and recognise the important role it plays in how an organisation is perceived by its customers.

“This is the third consecutive year AsureQuality has won the Public Services/SOE category award and is a great way for the team to endorse its work in this area,” said Pamela Whitfield, Customer Services Manager.

“We are only a small team and were up against some strong competitors in banking, consumer goods and insurance, so we’re very proud of our achievements. Winning these awards highlights our commitment to quality service delivery.”

Pamela went on to be a finalist in the Contact Centre Institute (CCiNZ) Award for Contact Centre Manager of the Year (up to 50 seats). This award acknowledges individuals who make a significant contribution to support, educate and engage their contact centre, and who strive to strengthen its role and strategic value in the organisation.

The CCiNZ is a not for profit incorporated society that aims to promote industry professionalism. It was set up to support and educate professionals in the NZ Contact Centre industry.

Ends

AsureQuality is a commercial company owned by the New Zealand Government. It provides food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors.

For further information please contact:

Mark Inglis
Phone: 021 448 406
Email: mark.inglis@asurequality.com
www.asurequality.com

AsureQuality produces Midkine Blood Test (MK ELISA) Kits for Cellmid Limited

AsureQuality has successfully produced midkine blood test (MK ELISA) kits for Cellmid Limited using a GMP compliant environment in its fully accredited Melbourne manufacturing facility.

The midkine blood test is an extremely accurate method for determining midkine levels in blood (serum) of individuals, and it is currently being used in the clinical validation of midkine as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis. The transition from a development phase to a fully GMP compliant manufacture will enable Cellmid, an ASX listed biotechnology company, to produce commercial quantities of the MK ELISA. The MK ELISA will be used in testing human cancer patients and in veterinary cancer diagnostic programmes.

Dr. Michael Zalunardo, Sales and Marketing Manager of Diagnostics at AsureQuality’s Mareno Road site, said that AsureQuality has been working closely with Cellmid to conduct a technology transfer and is delighted to be part of the process of manufacturing the MK ELISA under GMP conditions.

“The fully GMP compliant manufacture of the midkine blood test kits is an important commercial milestone for Cellmid, and one that will greatly assist in its application for regulatory approval. AsureQuality’s involvement in the contract manufacture of these kits is an example of the scope of services we are able to offer the biotechnology industry, and highlights our capability in producing diagnostic kits and reagents tailored to our customers’ specifications,” he added.

AsureQuality commissioned and built its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Melbourne in 2007, and offers the production of immunodiagnostic kits, associated reagents, freeze drying, sterile dispensing and contract manufacturing for international supply.

Ends

For more information please contact:
Dr. Michael Zalunardo, Sales and Marketing Manager – Diagnostics
T: 03 8318 9083
M: 0409 644 883
W: www.asurequality.com

New Assurance that NZ Manuka Honey sold in Singapore is true to label

Tatua First in NZ to Achieve FSSC 22000 Certification

The Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company, a globally recognised manufacturer of specialised dairy ingredients and food products, has become New Zealand’s first organisation to achieve FSSC 22000 certification.

FSSC 22000 certification, specifically designed for the food manufacturing sector, is HACCP based and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked.

Brendhan Greaney, GM Operations at Tatua, says the company is delighted with achieving the first FSSC 22000 certification in New Zealand.

“Our business depends on access to overseas markets and meeting our customer’s requirements and this certification will assist us to achieve this.”

Mr Greaney says the certification process has taken 12 months, and has involved Tatua updating its food safety systems to meet the requirements of the standard.

He says, “Achieving the standard has involved a lot of work and we are proud of the effort and progress demonstrated by Katinka van der Burg, our Technical Services Manager and her team.”

FSSC 22000 uses existing standards for certification (ISO 22000 and PAS 220) and has been developed for the certification of food safety systems of food manufacturers.

Tatua’s certification includes the manufacture of dairy and non-dairy products for both local and export markets. This includes the production of a wide range of protein products as well as creams, sauces, cultured products, soft cheeses, ice cream mixes and dessert products in aseptic packaging and aerosol cans.

Certification Body, AsureQuality has worked with Tatua throughout the process, and was pleased to confirm New Zealand’s first FSSC 22000 certification following a successful multi audit process.

At this stage there are just over 400 companies worldwide with FSSC certification. FSSC 22000’s mission is to be the global leader in independent, ISO-based and GFSI-accepted food safety certification schemes for the whole supply chain.

ENDS
For more information please contact:
Brendhan Greaney
General Manager Operations
The TATUA Co-operative Dairy Company Limited
Tel: (07) 889 3999
Email: Brendhan.Greaney@tatua.com

Tony Egan, CEO AsureQuality speaking on BBC Asia

MAF Reviewing Export Cert System for Cats & Dogs Australia Bound

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) are undertaking a review of the export certification system currently in place for cats and dogs to Australia.

The current system involves practice veterinarians undergoing training to become MAF Approved Veterinarians, who are then issued with an approval number, allowing them to complete export certification. As part of the review the proposed plan is to move towards a veterinary practice based approval system.

This review has been initiated, mainly after feedback received from AQIS in Australia concerning the amount of non-compliant export certificates being presented and also as part of our ongoing monitoring and maintenance of this system.

Some of the issues with the current system are:
•    The high number of non-compliant certificates being presented to AQIS
•    A lack of ongoing competency assessment to remain approved under the system
•    The lack of an effective recall procedure for the return of obsolete export certificates
•    The lack of an audit system.

During this review draft documents will be sent out for consultation with the industry. These draft documents will be sent out to our list of veterinarians approved under the current system. This is an ideal opportunity to make sure we have your up-to-date contact details. If you are unsure about what details we hold please email us at the address below.

MAF are seeking a couple of industry representatives to provide input into this review. If you are interested in becoming involved in this project and could make yourself available for a small number of meetings and or phone conferences we would like to hear from you. Alternatively, if you would like to email a comment or suggestion regarding the export certification system for cats and dogs to Australia we would appreciate your feedback.

At this stage it is anticipated that a draft system will be available for consultation in September of 2011.

Contact Details: animalexports@maf.govt.nz

Challenging and Prolonged Facial Eczema Season

19 May 2011

This summer and autumn the risk of facial eczema has proved to be both challenging and prolonged for farmers. Facial eczema affects stock throughout the North Island and northern South Island and costs New Zealand farmers dearly, running as high as $95 million in a bad year in the dairy sector alone.

With the drought in the northern regions of the North Island hitting many areas hard in December, and the warm conditions and shortage of feed that prevailed, the die was cast for an early incidence of facial eczema when warm rain fell in late December and early January.

AsureQuality’s Facial Eczema Co-ordinator Leo Cooney warned farmers and lifestyle block owners in December 2010 that this could happen. As predicted, FE spore counts increased rapidly in many regions to reach dangerous levels much earlier than it has occurred in other seasons.

Throughout this year’s high risk season AsureQuality has partnered with Gribble Veterinary, Agrifeeds Limited, RD1, Dairy NZ, Meat & Wool New Zealand and a number of veterinary practices to produce weekly eczema spore count reports for New Zealand farmers. This valuable service has increased awareness of facial eczema, which is one of New Zealand’s most production limiting diseases, and made it much easier to predict and provide warnings.

Farmers have an online resource to help track facial eczema with weekly spore count reports posted on the AsureQuality website www.asurequality.com and the RD1 website http://www.rd1.com/dairy/facial-eczema.

This season, by the fourth week of January the reports were indicating that the risk was high, and further sudden increases occurred in early February and March. At that point, 21 of the 34 districts sending in spore counts to Gribbles Veterinary Laboratory in Hamilton, showed high spore counts.

The graph shows another high spike at the beginning of April and from then on, with cooler weather conditions, the spore counts began to track down to much safer levels, with a cold southerly snap in the lower North Island towards the end of April bringing most counts down rapidly.

Early May however, in most regions brought unusually warm northerly weather which kept spore counts up in some districts such as Waihi and the Hauraki Plains, and parts of Northland. Farmers in these areas were advised to continue with precautions until colder conditions prevailed.

Grazing high spore count pasture (over 40,000 spores/gram) causes the stock to ingest Sporidesmin which is the fungal toxin produced by the FE spores, which causes the liver damage. Sudden increases in spore counts produce more severe and cumulative liver damage each time an animal grazes affected pasture.

Most animals affected by FE show no clinical signs of disease other than lower production or growth rates, which may be difficult to detect. These animals are termed sub-clinicals.

You can guarantee that if a few animals in a herd or flock are showing clinical signs then many others will be affected sub-clinically. These animals can be detected by a blood test for liver damage caused by facial eczema, called the GGT test, which measures a liver enzyme excreted into the blood stream.

Gribbles Veterinary Laboratory in Hamilton produces a weekly graph (also on its web site) - which shows GGT levels measured on bloods tested at its laboratories during the FE season. The graphs showed very similar trends to FE spore counts, but tracking a couple of weeks behind because high spore counts take a week or two to elevate GGT levels within affected animals.

The GGT levels are a very good yard stick as to what is happening within affected herds/flocks and can be used to identify sub-clinicals from healthy resistant animals at the end of a challenging season like this one.

This is a useful management tool in valuable stud animals and on farms with a long term breeding strategy in selecting for resistance. Sub-clinical animals require better nutrition during the winter period to gain body condition. The period leading up to and during parturition (giving birth) is often when extra demands are put on female cattle and sheep.

Early detection of sub-clinical animals will enable them to be provided with extra management and feeding around parturition. This can minimise the stresses which can rapidly bring on metabolic diseases and sudden death in females with sub-clinical eczema - which may be showing no outward signs at all.

For more information contact AsureQuality’s Facial Eczema Co-ordinator, Leo Cooney ph 021 448 541.

Graphs courtesy of Gribbles

The Luckiest Bees in the World

Ask Lucy and Andrew Mahuika about their organic Blue Borage honey (vipers bugloss), and they will tell you it is produced by some of the luckiest bees in the world! That’s because the bees that produce this exquisite liquid gold live on one of the most remote high country stations in New Zealand (Muzzle Station). Situated up the Clarence Valley, and nestled between the rugged inland and seaward Kaikoura range, this breathtaking property is refreshed by the waters of the Clarence River.

Clarence Valley Apiaries has been producing honey since 1986 and achieved full organic certification in 2006. Started originally by Lucy’s parents (Colin and Tina Nimmo) together with a friend from Kaikoura in the mid-80s, it was later operated as a partnership between the Nimmo and Milne families from 1991 onwards. In early 2007 Lucy and Andrew Mahuika took over the beekeeping role.

In a good summer the hills of Muzzle Station produce a vast amount of Blue
Borage flowers from which most of the apiaries’ honey originates. There’s also a number of other species offering additional nectar and pollen sources such as Manuka, Matagouri, Willow and Briar which help make up any shortfall in cooler months.

The vipers bugloss plant (also known as “Blue Borage”) has tall blue wildflowers and is
predominantly found in the Marlborough and Otago provinces in the South Island. Its European name is believed to have originated from its unique flower shape which is said to resemble a ‘coiled viper ready to strike’, while “Blue Borage” is a local common name. The honey produced from this flower has a delicate flavour and because of its high fructose level, is perfect for sweetening drinks.

Lucy and Andrew have around 23 apiaries with approximately 550 hives which are all certified organic under the AsureQuality Organic Standard.

“In an average season Clarence Valley Apiaries produces approximately 20 tonnes of Blue Borage (vipers bugloss) and two tonnes of Manuka honey. When we have a really good season we can harvest as much as 30 tonnes of our Blue Borage variety,” says Lucy.

Unfortunately the extreme climatic conditions of this area often mean this can be offset the following year by a yield of only 17 tonnes.

Clarence Valley Apiaries produces product both for the New Zealand domestic market and for the potential export to Japan and the EU. As well as carrying out its organic certification, AsureQuality also verifies its Apiary Risk Management Programme. Integrating both audits in this way means Lucy and Andrew can minimise the duplication of records for the two programmes, and only need to put aside one day per year for their annual audits.

For more information on AsureQuality Apiary Services call 0508 00 11 22.

AsureQuality's Proficiency Business and LabChek Merge to Create Global Proficiency

1 March 2011

On 1 March 2011 AsureQuality will merge its Proficiency business unit with LabChek (Proficiency Services Ltd) to form a new company Global Proficiency, supplying both the domestic and the international market with a world-class proficiency capability.

Goals of the merger are to create added benefits for customers, and to strengthen the company’s position as a world leader in Proficiency Testing (PT) services. The merger will benefit existing and new customers through improved accuracy of PT assessments, and will ensure specialist competencies within each programme are further enhanced.

Tony Egan, CEO for AsureQuality, said the synergies between the two businesses are significant and that the decision to merge the two companies was largely driven by opportunities for further growth in international markets.

“AsureQuality is excited at the prospect of working together with a specialist business to realise New Zealand’s international growth opportunities. The uniqueness of this merger is to have an independent business focus supported by the business systems and resources of a corporate.”

“Global Proficiency will now have the combined expertise and data of two highly respected independent proficiency testing companies, capable of offering specialist proficiency programmes to the rest of the world. Both AsureQuality and LabChek have technically supported the New Zealand Laboratory market with leading PT Schemes and reference materials, and can now collectively work to compete for and grow work in the global arena.”

Joanne Bedford, Manager/Director – Operations for LabChek, and now a director of Global Proficiency, is delighted with the decision to merge the two companies and believes the service the new company will offer will significantly benefit existing clients.

“Global Proficiency will not only continue to provide the highest standards of accuracy and confidentiality, but will also offer an advanced capability to ensure the designs and operations of our schemes are aligned to the needs of our current participating laboratories. Both the merging businesses can leverage off the other’s expertise to provide even better bench-marking of data and methods,” says Joanne.

“Our ability to compete internationally will largely depend on our reputation to supply the domestic market to a world-class standard. Both AsureQuality and LabChek have proven their commitment to the New Zealand market and together can confidently take Global Proficiency to the rest of the world.”

Joanne said the name Global Proficiency was reflective of the two existing companies and the broad range of Inter-laboratory schemes and reference material services it will offer.

Inter-laboratory PT schemes provide laboratories with independent assurance of the accuracy and reliability of their test results. Since 1999 LabChek has supplied a range of PT schemes and reference materials, now supplying more than 250 laboratories in 23 countries, and its Quality System is accredited to ISO/IEC 17043:2010 - the internationally-recognised standard for providers of proficiency testing programmes.

AsureQuality provides food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors, and carries out food quality and safety testing for producers, processors and Competent Authorities around the world. It has a network of laboratories spread across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and in addition to providing a broad range of environmental and food testing services has an extensive Inter-laboratory PT capability.

The merger benefits include:

Broadening of technical and specialist capabilities
Gains from economies of scope and scale and geographical coverage
More capacity to compete globally in the competitive Proficiency Testing market
More effective use of all resources, including co-ordination of skills and technology to provide a new centre of excellence

The PT schemes currently provided by AsureQuality and LabChek are already recognised as leading edge. Global Proficiency will continue these high quality services and seek to expand and improve what New Zealand offers to the world.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Sandra Mott, Proficiency Manager - 07 850 4301

Joanne Bedford, Manager/Director – Operations - 07 850 4483

AsureQuality and Agrecovery working together for sustainability

10 February 2011

The Agrecovery Rural Recycling Programme and Assurance Services provider AsureQuality have entered into a partnership aimed at reinforcing and promoting environmental best practice to New Zealand’s farmers and growers.

AsureQuality’s assurance services range “from farm to fork”, and help provide evidence that the food produced by farmers and growers meets the standards of safety, ethics and environmental sustainability required by New Zealand’s most demanding markets.

AsureQuality is the country’s largest provider of audit services to the primary production sector, with customers including milk suppliers, meat and wool growers, and horticultural exporters. On-farm audits are regularly conducted to measure compliance with legal requirements, industry standards and a wide range of customer assurance programmes.

Since 2007 the Agrecovery Rural Recycling Programme, supported by a large number of brand owners and primary industry stakeholders, has provided these same farmers and growers with a certified and sustainable disposal solution for persistent on-farm wastes such as plastic chemical containers, unwanted/expired chemicals and used silage wrap.
Agrecovery members are able to record and report on their recycling activity, using a Smart Member Services (SMS) function on the Agrecovery website at www.agrecovery.co.nz.

As most industry compliance programmes contain requirements on compliant waste disposal, and some actually specify participation in Agrecovery, it makes good sense for Agrecovery and AsureQuality to work together, says Pat Turton, Business Development Manager for AsureQuality.

“We are going on-farm and assessing a farmer or grower’s performance against various criteria. Naturally this is a complex process and takes a lot of time. If we are aware that the farmer or grower is an Agrecovery member who can access a report of their recycling history in advance of their audit, it would simplify one aspect of the audit process, saving time for both the auditor and our customers.”

The relationship also benefits Agrecovery, according to Adele Rose, General Manager 3R Group, Programme Managers for Agrecovery.

“Agrecovery has been welcomed by many primary producers, but there are still many who are not aware of our services and how they work. Some people are paying for waste disposal elsewhere, or they are burning or dumping their waste in a manner that may not comply with their assurance programme’s requirements.

“We are hoping that this relationship with AsureQuality will increase the visibility and understanding of Agrecovery, put the correct information into the hands of the people who need it most, and support their efforts with awareness and education.”
Aside from the common goals of promoting sustainability and best environmental practice, AsureQuality and Agrecovery have similar operational strengths, states Mr Turton.

“We share many existing relationships with industry and stakeholders in the Agri Business sector, have an excellent understanding of the relevant legislation and compliance issues facing industry, and have very high standards of service design and delivery that are accredited to global standards.

“New Zealand’s international customers have strict quality and environmental standards, and the various assurance programmes we are involved with require adherence to those standards. It’s not just about encouraging best practice; it’s an economic necessity to maintain our export markets.”

About Agrecovery:

The Agrecovery programme was launched in 2007 with funding from farmer and grower groups, local government, the agrichemical industry and central government.

It provides the primary sector with sustainable alternatives to the burning and dumping of plastic waste and the disposal of unwanted chemicals in the primary sector.

Developed by industry for industry, Agrecovery is fully supported by most of New Zealand’s leading agrichemical, animal health, silage wrap and crop protection net companies. It is safe, reliable and fully compliant with accreditation to Environmental Standard ISO 14001.

Agrecovery Container Recycling and Chemicals programmes are accredited as Product Stewardship schemes by the Ministry for the Environment under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008.

Agrecovery’s Collection/Recycling Programmes
•    Plastic agrichemical containers sized from 0-60L
•    Unwanted/expired agrichemicals
•    Silage wrap and pit covers
•    Crop protection net
•    Plastic/steel drums sized from 61-1000L

For more information contact the Agrecovery Programme Managers, Duncan Scotland – Sales and Marketing Manager 3R Group Ltd, freephone 0800 AGRECOVERY, or visit our website

Warm Tropical Weather Brings Increase Risk of Facial Eczema in some parts of the North Island

8 February 2011

AsureQuality is warning that, as predicted, the warm tropical weather experienced during the past week in the North Island has brought about an increase in spore counts to dangerous levels in those regions prone to Facial Eczema (FE).

Leo Cooney, Field Technician for AsureQuality, said that while the heavy rain in regions like Northland may have given some temporary respite, spore counts are expected to increase rapidly again to dangerous levels in these areas as the warm muggy tropical weather conditions continue.

“It’s important to remember that rotting vegetation at the bottom of pastures, as a result of desiccated grass from the earlier drought, will trigger the fungus Pithomyces Chartarum to start rapidly producing its toxic spores as rain and high humidity favour fungal growth,” says Leo.

“Prevention is the key to avoiding FE and we advise taking maximum precautions, including feeding supplementary feed, to reduce the amount of spores being ingested by susceptible stock that are grazing pastures down to very low sward heights.

“We’re also seeing mushrooms on farms and although tasty for dinner, they indicate the perfect medium for FE spores to be produced in high numbers whilst these Northerly weather conditions prevail,’ says Leo.

Facial Eczema was first reported in New Zealand in 1887. 1938 was recorded as being a very bad year and because very little was known about the disease and its causes, few precautions could be taken. More recently, 1999 saw widespread outbreaks of Facial Eczema in many regions of the North Island. We are currently experiencing similar weather conditions this year, following a prolonged drought in the worst hit areas.

Full precautions are advisable in all regions with a history of Facial Eczema.

AsureQuality is a world-class provider of food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors. It carries out food quality and safety testing for producers, processors and Competent Authorities around the world.

For more information please contact:

Leo Cooney, Field Technician: 021 448 541

AsureQuality Public Meeting set for 1st February

AsureQuality will be holding a public meeting on Tuesday 1st February at 4pm at The Terrace Conference Centre in Wellington.

The meeting will provide an opportunity to ask questions of the company management and board.

If this is of interest to you, you are welcome to attend.

We look forward to seeing you at The Terrace Conference Centre, Lambton Room 1, Level 2, St John House, 114 The Terrace, Wellington at 4pm.

Drought and Warm Rain Could Bring An Early Risk Of Facial Eczema

20 December 2010

AsureQuality is warning farmers and lifestyle block owners in drought hit areas of the North Island, to consider taking Facial Eczema (FE) precautions earlier this season than they normally would in other years. Leo Cooney for AsureQuality said that historically FE hits hardest in drought years when warm rain falls on dry short pastures and warm muggy conditions prevail. The weather conditions at present are very conducive for this situation to arise quite rapidly over the next fortnight. This provides ideal conditions in FE prone areas for the fungus Pithomyces Chartarum to start rapidly producing its toxic spores in pastures containing Ryegrass, Cocksfoot, Yorkshire Fog, Brown Top and Dogs Tail, especially in sheltered areas that have been dangerous in the past.

Prevention is still the key to avoiding FE in ruminants, and it will be advisable to start taking precautions earlier this year following the recent rainfall on warm drought affected soils.

The FE risk period usually starts in mid to late January and can extend right through into May in some regions when mild autumn weather conditions prevail. The big difference this year is due to the un-seasonal weather conditions that have prevailed over the past month through many regions of the North Island. This dry period now followed by warm Northerly rainfall will result in ideal conditions for fungal diseases such as FE to present a problem.

Regions like Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu and parts of Hawke’s Bay and any other North Island areas hit by drought are likely to be the first affected. Farmers in these areas should start monitoring spore counts and weather conditions earlier than they normally would, to keep abreast of the risk and to start precautions earlier than in other seasons.

AsureQuality will again be monitoring FE spore counts each week from 13 districts throughout the North Island, with the first report starting on Friday 14 January 2011. These counts will be posted on www.asurequality.com and Beef + Lamb NZ, Dairy NZ and the RD 1 websites each Friday until the end of the season.

Anyone wanting on-farm spore counts done at a charge-out rate should contact their nearest AsureQuality Field Technician, Veterinary practice, or contact their nearest branch of the rural supplier RD 1 or AgriFeeds Rep for FE faecal spore counting sample kits for self sampling and assessing FE spore counts on your farm. TheTechion Group at Dunedin can also supply these kits.

ENDS

AsureQuality is a commercial company 100% owned by the New Zealand Government, providing food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors.

For more information please contact:

Leo Cooney: 021 448 541

AsureQuality Offers Timber Industry One-stop-shop Certification

22 November 2010

AsureQuality has developed a one-stop-shop for Timber Industry compliance solutions, according to Forestry Business Development Manager, Allen Fraser.

“We are delighted to announce that JAS-ANZ (The Joint Accreditation System of Australian and New Zealand) has recently certified both the AsureQuality Verification of Timber Properties programme and the PINENZ programme. This means we can now provide these assurances in addition to the AsureQuality Timber Treatment Programme, which has been running since 2005,” said Allen.

The PINENZ programme has been jointly established with the Pine Manufacturers Association to strengthen consumer confidence in manufactured timber products, and to position NZ finger jointed products as the product of choice in the Australasian market.

The Verification of Timber Properties Programme has been designed to ensure confidence in structurally graded timber products. The programme ensures compliance to NZS3622:2004 – Verification of Structural Timber Properties, as well as incorporating other associated standards.

Both these programmes complement the AsureQuality Timber Treatment Programme, developed six years ago with key industry representatives to provide a fully independent third party assurance programme covering the industry recognised standards.

“The Timber Treatment Programme is a comprehensive audit system that looks at everything from treatment processes through to environmental practices and health and safety. By adding the AsureQuality Verification of Timber Properties programme and PINENZ progamme to our portfolio of certifications, we can now offer our customers an integrated audit package that includes manufactured and structurally graded timbers products, and which can be individually designed to reduce costs and audit times,” said Allen.

Once certified by AsureQuality customers can apply the AQ mark to their products. This provides an assurance that a product has been produced following a comprehensive audit programme carried out by an experienced and independent auditor.

AsureQuality has also recently adopted the new Standard Operating Procedures for Timber Treatment Plants & Treatment Auditors.

ENDS

AsureQuality is a commercial company providing food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors. It carries out food quality and safety testing for producers, processors and Competent Authorities around the world, and audits, inspects, tests and certifies products for the Timber Industry to nationally and internationally recognised standards.

Its Lynfield Laboratory is accredited to carry out product testing and analysis for all hazard classes to ensure treated product meets the required standards.

For more information please contact:
Allen Fraser, Business Development Manger on (07) 572 0522

Kaweka Foods Wins AsureQuality Food Safety Award

15 November 2010

The New Zealand Food Awards were presented at a gala dinner recently at the Langham Hotel in Auckland. Among the winners on the night was Kaweka Foods which won the New Zealand Food Safety Authority Operations Innovation Award and the AsureQuality Food Safety Award for its lamb shank with rosemary and red wine sauce.

The judges said the product held up well to rigorous testing.

“With a shelf-life of two years this product was subject to numerous thermal validation trials to ensure product safety and integrity. The task was more difficult because of the multiple components in the pack – sauce, whole muscle meat and bone shank – all with different thermal transfer rates. Kaweka Foods has managed the retort process so the foods are not only shelf-stable, but look good and have great flavour and texture.”

Kaweka Foods is a small but innovative company based in the Hawke’s Bay. It specialises in ready-to-eat meal solutions and is passionate about using high quality ingredients to create nutritious and delicious meals. The company has a state-of-the-art factory in Hastings that is certified to the world’s highest recognised Thermal Processing Standards, USDA and US FDA, and has strong product development and product innovation capabilities. Kaweka Foods has positioned itself to not only develop and produce its own branded products but also manufactures military meals for NZ Defence Force and Organic Baby Food for the Green Monkey brand.

The company uses simple physical principles to achieve its high safety results, involving pressure and steam to “sterilise” the food. These are advanced enough to read the temperature inside a particular particle of meat, in the middle of a pouch, in the middle of a sealed vessel. Its work is validated with extensive testing, record keeping, highly trained and expert supervisory staff and various types of regular and systematic laboratory work.

Tony Egan, CEO of AsureQuality, said these Awards demonstrate Kaweka Foods’ commitment to food safety and hygiene standards. “We are delighted to support the NZ Food Awards and a company such as Kaweka Foods, whose commitment to food safety and quality is very much in line with our own.”

ENDS

AsureQuality is a commercial company providing food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors. It carries out food quality and safety testing for producers, processors and Competent Authorities around the world.

For more information please contact:

Scott Weir – General Manager Kaweka Foods Phone: 0800 529 352
Mark Inglis – AsureQuality National Sales and Marketing Manager Phone: 07 850 2887

AsureQuality Announces Two New Board Members

4 November 2010

AsureQuality is delighted to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors.

Janine Smith has been appointed Chair to replace John Spencer, who retired on 31 October at the end of his term to focus on his role as Chair of Kiwi Rail. Hamish Stevens joins AsureQuality as a new Director.

"John Spencer guided the establishment committee during the merger of AgriQuality and ASURE in 2007, and was the first Chairman of AsureQuality. During his time he has been responsible at a governance level for creating the value-driven company that AsureQuality is today,” said Tony Egan, CEO AsureQuality.

“The support and guidance provided by John has been crucial in the formative years of AsureQuality and we thank him for his valuable contribution over the past three years.”

Janine Smith has been a company director for over 15 years and is currently a Director of The Warehouse Group Ltd and Steel and Tube Holdings Ltd, Deputy Chair of Kordia Group Ltd, and Chairman of McLarens Young New Zealand Limited. She is also a Principal of The Boardroom Practice Limited which specialises in boardroom practice and organisational development.

Hamish Stevens is an Auckland-based chartered accountant, independent director and management consultant. He has an extensive background in strategy, finance, and international business development in the food and beverage sector. His senior executive positions have included Heinz-Wattie, Tip Top Ice Cream, and DB Breweries.

“We are looking forward to working with both Janine and Hamish to continue developing AsureQuality’s strategy, and believe the diversity of experience and knowledge they bring to the Board will be invaluable,” said Tony.

AsureQuality is a commercial company providing food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors. It carries out food quality and safety testing for producers, processors and Competent Authorities around the world.

For more information please contact:
Tony Egan, Chief Executive Officer: 09 573 8040 Ext: 8040
Customer Services 0508 00 11 22
www.asurequality.com

Award Winning Customer Service

20 October 2010

For the second year in a row AsureQuality has taken first place in the Public Services/SOE category at the annual CRM Contact Centre Awards, held at Auckland SKYCITY Convention Centre on Friday 24 September.

AsureQuality has been a finalist in these awards since its participation in 2003.

Topping this achievement, the team then went on to win second place for customer service across all sectors in New Zealand, and is now one of the top three customer service centres in the country.

The Contact Centre Awards, run by CRM Consulting Limited, provide a ‘snap-shot’ of how New Zealand contact centres are responding to customer enquiries, through an independent audit process that involves mystery shopper phone calls and emails.

“This is the first time AsureQuality has won the Public Services/SOE category award back to back over two consecutive years and is a great endorsement of our efforts in this area,” said Pamela Whitfield, Customer Services Manager.

“We are particularly proud of our team’s success and the work that went into achieving this milestone. Our commitment to customer responsiveness is one of the main benchmarks we use as a company to improve our day-to-day performance. It ensures we understand our customers’ needs and demonstrates our commitment to quality service delivery. To go on to be recognised as one of the top three customer service centres in New Zealand is an outstanding result for our small team of eight, which was competing against strong competitors in banking, consumer goods and insurance,“ said Pamela.

A broad range of industries participate in the awards, which celebrate the highest levels of customer service and recognise the important role it plays in how an organisation is perceived by its customers.

Ends

AsureQuality is a commercial company 100 percent owned by the New Zealand government. It provides food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors.

For further information please contact:

Mark Inglis – National Sales and Marketing Manager
Phone: 07 850 2887

The Luckiest Bees in the World

Ask Lucy and Andrew Mahuika about their organic Blue Borage honey (vipers bugloss), and they will tell you it is produced by some of the luckiest bees in the world! That’s because the bees that produce this exquisite liquid gold live on one of the most remote high country stations in New Zealand (Muzzle Station). Situated up the Clarence Valley, and nestled between the rugged inland and seaward Kaikoura range, this breathtaking property is refreshed by the waters of the Clarence River.

Clarence Valley Apiaries has been producing honey since 1986 and achieved full organic certification in 2006. Started originally by Lucy’s parents (Colin and Tina Nimmo) together with a friend from Kaikoura in the mid-80s, it was later operated as a partnership between the Nimmo and Milne families from 1991 onwards. In early 2007 Lucy and Andrew Mahuika took over the beekeeping role.

In a good summer the hills of Muzzle Station produce a vast amount of Blue Borage flowers from which most of the apiaries’ honey originates. There’s also a number of other species offering additional nectar and pollen sources such as Manuka, Matagouri, Willow and Briar which help make up any shortfall in cooler months.

The vipers bugloss plant (also known as “Blue Borage”) has tall blue wildflowers and is predominantly found in the Marlborough and Otago provinces in the South Island. Its European name is believed to have originated from its unique flower shape which is said to resemble a ‘coiled viper ready to strike’, while “Blue Borage” is a local common name. The honey produced from this flower has a delicate flavour and because of its high fructose level, is perfect for sweetening drinks.

Lucy and Andrew have around 23 apiaries with approximately 550 hives which are all certified organic under the AsureQuality Organic Standard.

“In an average season Clarence Valley Apiaries produces approximately 20 tonnes of Blue Borage (vipers bugloss) and two tonnes of Manuka honey. When we have a really good season we can harvest as much as 30 tonnes of our Blue Borage variety,” says Lucy.

Unfortunately the extreme climatic conditions of this area often mean this can be offset the following year by a yield of only 17 tonnes.

Clarence Valley Apiaries produces product both for the New Zealand domestic market and for the potential export to Japan and the EU. As well as carrying out its organic certification, AsureQuality also verifies its Apiary Risk Management Programme. Integrating both audits in this way means Lucy and Andrew can minimise the duplication of records for the two programmes, and only need to put aside one day per year for their annual audits.

AsureQuality Opens New Export Wine Certification Laboratory

14 June 2010

AsureQuality has opened a new export wine certification laboratory at its Auckland facility following formal recognition by the NZFSA to analyse wine destined for the EU. The laboratory is part of the recent 819 square meter refurbishment at the Lynfield site.

Dubbed the “Wine Cellar” because of its location in the customised basement area of the Chemistry block extension, the laboratory is staffed by four former ESR Food Safety Group employees previously based at the ESR Mount Albert Science Centre. Between them, Team Leader Lesley Standeven-Kim and Analyst Suzy Watson have over 30 years’ experience in food and wine analyses; and Senior Scientist Mike Rush, the former Manager of the ESR Food Safety Laboratory, over 40 years’ experience in analytical chemistry. Laboratory Technician Emily Chu has a post Graduate Diploma in Wine Science from Auckland University.

The laboratory is already testing a significant amount of New Zealand’s export wine having only opened for business a few weeks ago.

WineWorks, New Zealand’s largest contract bottler has chosen to partner with AsureQuality to provide its customers with an integrated range of services including export wine testing.

“Following our recognition by the NZFSA to analyse export wine and our subsequent partnership with WineWorks, it made sense for us to develop a new wine laboratory that was dedicated to meeting the industry’s standards and quick turn around times,” says Scott Leathem, Operations Manager, Auckland Laboratory.

“The facility is currently receiving wine for analysis each week and has a turn around time for results of three days. The testing methods we use for the Wine Export Certification Programme are all based on the EU reference methods and are NZFSA recognised, which means we can ensure the best results possible for our customers,” says Scott.

The range of analyses for the Export Certification programme include Actual Alcohol (distillation/density), Total Alcohol (sugars/alcohol by calculation), Total Dry Extract (density), Titratable Acidity, Volatile Acidity (enzymatic), Citric Acidity (enzymatic), Total Sulphur Dioxide (Monier-Williams) and Total Sugars (HPLC). Sorbic Acid Analyses (HPLC) are also carried out for other non-EU OMARs.

AsureQuality also offers the wine industry a full range of training, auditing and testing services including: NZFSA Wine Verification Audits (for Wine Standard Management Plans), BRC, GLOBALGAP, True to Label Assurance, AsureQuality Organic Standard, Wine Laboratory Proficiency Programme, ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, and carboNZero certification.

AsureQuality is a commercial company providing food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors. It carries out food quality and safety testing for producers, processors and Competent Authorities around the world.

For more information please contact:
Scott Leathem: Tel: (09) 626 8282 Mob: 021 648 408
Customer Services 0508 00 11 22
www.asurequality.com

AsureQuality Extends Capacity at its Auckland Laboratory

21 April 2010

AsureQuality recently re-opened its newly refurbished Auckland laboratory in Lynfield, following substantial renovations to extend its testing capability.

The Auckland laboratory is part of AsureQuality's Laboratory and Diagnostics division which employs a total of 403 staff across seven laboratories in New Zealand, Australia and more recently Singapore. In addition ot New Zealand, the facility provides testing services to international customers in a number of countries including Australia, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and as far a field as the Middle East and Ireland.

Udit Singh, Group Manager Laboratories and Diagnostics said that AsureQuality’s Auckland Laboratory has grown significantly from 60 staff in 1984 to over 240 today, and reached sales of over 25 million in 2009.

“This substantial business growth has meant we have needed to expand our Auckland premises to meet ongoing testing demands, and to ensure we continue to provide a world-class laboratory facility for our customers and staff.

“The recent refurbishment at Lynfield has focused on providing increased space to improve process flows within the laboratory, and includes the expansion of the chemistry laboratory by 660 square metres, an increased sample reception area for the 1.2 million samples processed each year, and a new modern cafeteria for our laboratory staff. The total increase in floor area is 819 square meters.”

A new wine laboratory to cater for export wine testing and space for expansion has also been part of the new upgrade.

Hon Phil Goff, Leader of the Labour Party and MP for Mt Roskill, officially re-opened the revamped laboratory on 6 April 2010, saying it was one Mt Roskill’s largest employers and had a major economic impact in providing jobs and incomes to highly skilled employees.

Carol Beaumont MP also accompanied Phil Goff to the opening. Ms Beaumont had previously spent time working with AsureQuality as part of the Parliamentary Business Trust which promotes better understanding between business and parliamentarians.

For more information please contact:
Udit Singh on +64 9 573 8048 / +64 21 283 8683
www.asurequality.com

AsureQuality Carries out the first LEAF Audit in New Zealand

14 March 2010

AsureQuality has just completed the first LEAF Marque audit in New Zealand for commercial apple and pear grower Kevin Murphy, based in Marlborough.

Kevin is the first New Zealand grower to gain certification to the LEAF Marque Standard. As a keen environmentalist this is particularly relevant as it acknowledges his commitment to sustainable farming and the environment. Kevin’s farm produces apples, grapes, and pears which are all covered under the programme. ENZA export his apple crop and initially suggested that Kevin gain LEAF Marque certification to assist with marketing of the crop in the UK.

LEAF was set up in 1991 out of a concern for the future of farming. The programme looks at developing and promoting an Integrated Farm Management system that is both realistic and achievable for the majority of farmers and which can be applied to the whole farm. It forms the basis for efficient and profitable production - an important aspect of sustainable farming - where risks to the environment are kept to a minimum but environmental benefits maximised. Farmers are given the tools to create a strategy for farming to conserve and enhance the environment. More information about the programme can be found at www.leafmarque.com.

In November 2009 AsureQuality signed a License Agreement with LEAF Marque Ltd enabling it to inspect and certify farms to the LEAF Marque Standard. This allows AsureQuality to certify against the Standard in Australia and New Zealand.

Paul Alexander, Business Manager - Field Services, says AsureQuality carries out multiple audits across a number of different sectors ranging from Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) audits, through phytosanitary market access to retailer specific audits. "As a company we are committed to supporting our customers gain access into their chosen markets. LEAF Marque certification was an important addition to our portfolio of certification services and complements the other services we provide to our customers. We are proud to have been involved in the auditing process for the first New Zealand grower to gain LEAF Marque certification and expect to see other growers and farmers join the scheme in the near future."

AsureQuality is a commercial company providing food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors. It carries out food quality and safety testing for producers, processors and Competent Authorities around the world. In addition to LEAF Marque certification, AsureQuality also carries out GlobalGAP, NZGAP and Tesco Nurture audits.

For more information please contact:

Paul Alexander, Business Manager - Field Services

DDI: 07 850 2870

Mob: 021 972 856

AsureQuality Opens Office and Laboratory in Singapore

10 March 2010

AsureQuality Limited, a New Zealand Government State-Owned Enterprise, has established AsureQuality Singapore Pte Ltd to support and grow its customer base in the Asia and Middle East region. As part of the business it will be opening a 5000 square ft laboratory facility which will offer both food chemistry and microbiology testing with an emphasis on dairy nutritional testing.

With the recruitment of key personnel, purchase and validation of equipment, and set up of quality and management systems now complete, the site will open for business in April 2010.

Udit Singh, Group Manager Laboratories and Diagnostics said that AsureQuality has been working in Singapore and the region for many years at both regulatory and industry levels. "We have worked hard to build up a network of relationships, and increased capacity and expanded testing regimes in our New Zealand laboratories so we can deliver a more efficient and comprehensive service," says Singh.

"Establishing a laboratory in the area was the next logical step. This allows us to maintain and develop our customer base and improve our service delivery through quicker sample turn-around times."

Ms Thien Kwee Eng, Director of Consumer Businesses at the Singapore Economic Development Board said that Singapore is committed to developing and strengthening its capabilities in the food and nutrition industry. "The opening of AsureQuality’s Food Chemistry and Microbiology Lab will be a boost to the food and nutrition industry in Singapore. The presence of food testing companies complements Singapore’s reputation as a trusted food hub."

Several staff from the company’s laboratory in Auckland, New Zealand, have been seconded to the new site to assist in the establishment stages.

For more information please contact:

Udit Singh on +64 9 573 8048 / +64 21 283 8683

Facial Eczema on the Rise

22 February 2010

Facial eczema affects stock throughout the North Island and northern South Island and costs New Zealand farmers dearly, running as high as $95 million in a bad year in the dairy sector alone.

AsureQuality has partnered with Gribble Veterinary, Agrifeeds Limited, RD1, Dairy NZ and a number of veterinary practices to produce regular eczema spore count reports for New Zealand farmers.

Farmers now have an online resource to help track facial eczema with weekly spore count reports posted on line with www.asurequality.com, and www.rd1.com/sporecounts.

As expected in this early stage of the season, rain, heavy dews, high humidity and high grass temperatures are providing the perfect weather conditions for spore development and spore counts are continuing to rise.

Areas recording the highest counts last week were Waihi, Hamilton and Horowhenua and Wairarapa in the lower North Island.

AsureQuality's facial eczema monitoring programme manager, Wayne Baxter reports that results are indicating widespread risk so all farmers in facial eczema prone areas should be taking precautions.

Preventative measures available at this stage include regular oral drenching of zinc oxide or the use of intra-ruminal long-acting boluses, treatment of water supplies and spraying pasture with fungicide.

Current research is available from Dr Chris Morris, AgResearch, Ruakura, who is working on the genetics of facial eczema resistance.

Infected animals may display signs of photosensitisation and look distressed. The first signs are often reddening and swelling of skin exposed to the sun (i.e. around the eyes, ears, lips and nose) as well as restlessness, shaking and rubbing of the head and ears, and seeking shade.

About facial eczema

Facial eczema is responsible for serious production losses with affected stock suffering liver and skin damage, which together contribute to ill-thrift, reduced fertility, reduced milk production, and in severe cases death.

Warm, humid conditions support the growth of a fungus (Pithomyces chartarum) in pasture which produces a toxin (sporidesmin) that poisons the liver. As the liver cannot get rid of phylloerythrin, a chlorophyll breakdown product, it circulates in the blood. Phylloerythrin releases energy when exposed to sunlight causing skin damage similar to severe sunburn.

Susceptible stock are cattle, sheep, deer and camelids. While the above preventative options are available as short term measures, those dairy or sheep farmers with facial eczema prone farms should consider selecting stock with resistance to facial eczema.

For further information please call:

AsureQuality Customer Services
0508 00 11 22

AsureQuality Approved by MAF to carry out Accredited Persons Training

30 November 2009

AsureQuality has been appointed by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) as an approved training provider for Accredited Persons training.

MAFBNZ requires all sea container transitional facilities to appoint one or more Accredited Persons (AP) to be responsible for checking imported containers. Under the MAFBNZ Standard for General Transitional Facilities and the Import Health Standard for Sea Containers, an Accredited Person is required to be present when a sea container is opened to check for pests and diseases potentially harmful to New Zealand.

“AsureQuality has a long history working with MAFBNZ and a proven track record in delivering Biosecurity services. With over 450 biosecurity events behind us we believe our experience in this area will prove invaluable when delivering Accredited Persons training,” said Andrea Murray, AsureQuality Business Manager – Biosecurity.

“We will be running regular courses throughout the North and South Islands to meet the needs of those current APs wishing to renew their certificate or new people looking to become qualified. Courses have already begun in Auckland and Hamilton,” continued Andrea.

For a person to become accredited they must have undertaken and passed the MAFBNZ approved basic biosecurity awareness training course with an Approved Training Provider. Once they have passed the initial training, all Accredited Persons need to pass a refresher training course every two years.

AsureQuality is a commercial company 100 percent owned by the New Zealand government and provides food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors. The company taps into staff and resources from across its divisions to create a team of over 300 highly-trained biosecurity professionals available on call 24/7 to respond to biosecurity emergencies. The team coordinates the delivery of response services by AsureQuality and a network of supporting organisations.

Anyone interested in AP training can contact AsureQuality Customer Services on 0508 00 11 22.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Andrea Murray – Business Manager, Biosecurity
Phone: 07 850 2887
Email: murraya@asurequality.com

AsureQuality Assessor volunteers to inspect fresh produce heading to Samoa

29th October 2009

Freud D’Souza, Senior Assessor at AsureQuality recently volunteered his time to inspect fresh produce going to tsunami victims in Samoa.

AsureQuality runs a Volunteer Day Programme which enables employees to spend a work day volunteering at a charity of their choice. Freud dedicated his day to helping the Produce Company inspect fruit and vegetables heading to a village in Samoa badly hit by the tsunami.

John Stokes, Sales Manager for the Produce Company, raised $1500 by approaching customers and suppliers for financial support, and used the money to purchase fresh produce for the Salani village people.

“Salani Surf resort is the only local employer for the Salani village people, and was wiped out by the tsunami. Over 25 people from the village worked at the resort and have now lost their jobs and homes. John has done a great job raising funds to support the purchase and transport of food and other essentials for these victims, and I was only too pleased to volunteer my time to make sure the produce met exporting criteria,” said Freud.

500kg of fresh produce was inspected by AsureQuality to meet Samoa import conditions and was shipped via Air New Zealand at reduced shipping rates. Some of the money also went towards supplying tools, clothes and first aid kits to the Village.

Award Winning Customer Service

10 September 2009

AsureQuality, the country’s leading provider of food safety and biosecurity assurance services has taken first place in the Public Services/SOE category at the annual CRM Contact Centre Awards, held at the Auckland SKYCITY Convention Centre on Friday 4 September. .

The Contact Centre Awards, run by CRM Consulting Limited, provide a ‘snap-shot’ of how New Zealand contact centres are responding to customer enquiries over the telephone and Internet. AsureQuality has been a finalist in these awards since its participation in 2003.

“It was great to see our team’s hard work recognised this year. Customer responsiveness is one of the benchmarks we use to improve our day-to-day performance so that the work we do, at every level, provides our customers with a professional service,” said National Sales and Marketing Manager Mark Inglis. This award has acknowledged our efforts in this area,” he said.

A broad range of industries participate in the awards, which celebrate the highest levels of customer service and recognise the important role it plays in how an organisation is perceived by its customers.

Ends

AsureQuality is a commercial company 100 percent owned by the New Zealand government. It provides food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors.

Every day its team of 1700 experts, based at 140 locations throughout Australasia, works alongside customers in over 40 countries worldwide, to assure the safety and quality of food being produced for millions of people.

For further information please contact:

Mark Inglis – National Sales and Marketing Manager
Phone: 07 850 2887
Email: inglism@asurequality.com
www.asurequality.com

AsureQuality Assists Wine Exports to EU

1 October 2009

AsureQuality has been granted formal recognition by the NZFSA for analysing wines for export to the EU; and will be partnering with WineWorks to offer this and other testing services.

For a New Zealand grape wine to be eligible for export to the EU it must meet the requirements of the New Zealand Wine Act 2003, which states that it is free from ‘obvious fault’ and comes from a winery that has a fully traceable and audited record keeping system. The processes that allow an exporter to meet these requirements are administered by New Zealand Winegrowers on behalf of New Zealand Food Safety Authority. Part of the EU export certification process involves laboratory analysis of every batch of wine produced.

As of 1 October AsureQuality will offer export wine testing having met the criteria specified under the Wine Act 2003 and EU regulatory requirements. This includes IANZ 17025 accreditation.

“AsureQuality is delighted to gain this recognition. We are now able to offer the wine industry a fully integrated range of quality assurance services that also includes testing for export wine,” said Karen De Lacy, Business Development Manager – Auckland Laboratory.

“We are pleased to be partnered with WineWorks as its chosen service provider for this testing, and look forward to adding further value through the other services we can provide WineWorks and its New Zealand customers,” said Karen.

Darrell O’Brien, Plant Manager at WineWorks Marlborough Limited, said the decision to work with AsureQuality stemmed from its current relationship through certification activities and AsureQuality’s commitment to technical expertise and scientific best practice.

AsureQuality offers the wine industry a full range of training, auditing and testing services including: NZFSA Wine Verification Audits (for Wine Standards Management Plans), BRC, GLOBALGAP, True to Label Assurance, AsureQuality Organic Standard, Wine Laboratory Proficiency Programme, ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and carboNZero certification.

AsureQuality will be partnering with WineWorks to offer the following services:
• Export wine testing to meet EU and other country requirements
• Chemical analysis
• Residue analysis
• Microbiology testing
• Allergen testing
• Forensic investigations

Ends

For more information please contact:
Karen De Lacy
Business Development Manager – Auckland Laboratory
Tel: 09 626 8200
Mobile: 021 752 083
Email: DelacyK@asurequality.com
Website: www.asurequality.com

Abalone industry calls for Federal intervention on disease threat - ABC Online

Abalone industry calls for Federal intervention on disease threat
ABC Online, Australia - 17 minutes ago
The industry has joined its South Australian and Victorian colleagues to lobby the Fisheries Minister, Senator Eric Abetz to introduce further biosecurity ...

Chief vet sets out foot and mouth timetable FWi (Farmers Weekly Interactive)

This date marked 15 days since the completion of cleansing and disinfecting the last infected premises (IP) and was dependent on there being no sign of foot and mouth on all holdings in the PZ.

Domestic news (The West Australian)

A group of Australia's leading environmental scientists have dismissed claims the nation's north could become the food bowl of Asia and counter water shortages in southern states.

Biosecurity: guarding Australia - ScienceAlert

Biosecurity: guarding Australia
ScienceAlert, Australia - 8 minutes ago
Governments and health authorities are scrambling to develop protective strategies against these biosecurity risks, which could be spread via natural means ...

Forum Emphases Partnership Approach - Farmers

A water science forum of scientists, regulators and agriculture leaders agreed today on a need to form working partnerships that lead to improved water quality, said Hugh Ritchie of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

Codling moth found on New Zealand apples in Taiwan (Scoop.co.nz)

Biosecurity New Zealand announced today it was temporarily suspending exports of apples to Taiwan after receiving confirmation, from Taiwanese officials, of a codling moth larva find in a consignment earlier this week.

Ballance announces $22 a tonne return

Ballance Agri-Nutrients has confirmed it will distribute a combined average rebate and dividend that will at least match the $22 per tonne paid out last year.

Pelorus may be free of didymo - Marlborough Express

Pelorus may be free of didymo
Marlborough Express, New Zealand - 10 minutes ago
Biosecurity New Zealand spokesman Phil Barclay said that because the first cell was dead, it could have meant the sample was contaminated. ...

Aust puts conditions on NZ apples - Stuff.co.nz

Aust puts conditions on NZ apples
Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - 16 minutes ago
"However, before any trade can take place Australian and New Zealand biosecurity officials have to agree on the practical implementation of the Australian ...

Deformed wing bee virus identified - Scoop.co.nz

Deformed wing bee virus identified
Scoop.co.nz, New Zealand - 2 hours ago
A virus causing deformed wings (DWV) in bees has been identified on two properties in Northland and Waikato, Biosecurity New Zealand confirmed today. ...
Another blow for beekeepers Newstalk ZB
all 3 news articles

Biosecurity is not to be ignored in preventing calf disease Farmers Weekly (Farmers Weekly Interactive)

Improved calf health and reduced risk of disease spread are two factors calf rearers would often pay money for. So why, when they can get all that from a simple on farm biosecurity kit, do producers still switch off at the word's very mention?

Spread of varroa to cost millions - Stuff.co.nz

Spread of varroa to cost millions
Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - Jan 25, 2007
The decision, announced this week by Biosecurity Minister Jim Anderton, not to go ahead with a promised feral bee poisoning program was made after the mite ...

Firm attempts to wrap up case of seasquirt - The Nelson Mail

Firm attempts to wrap up case of seasquirt
The Nelson Mail, New Zealand - 1 hour ago
Biosecurity New Zealand spokesman Phil Barclay said the Bay of Islands was a high-value area, where styela clava had not been found. ...

Australian growers to appeal lifting of ban on NZ apples - FreshPlaza

Australian growers to appeal lifting of ban on NZ apples
FreshPlaza, Netherlands - Jan 15, 2007
Australian apple growers intend to appeal a decision by Biosecurity Australia to allow New Zealand apples into the Australian market. ...
NZ apple growers mull WTO action FreshPlaza
all 2 news articles

Urgent recall for potentially deadly novelty - MyTown Bay of Plenty

Urgent recall for potentially deadly novelty
MyTown Bay of Plenty, New Zealand - 18 minutes ago
The Ministry of Health and MAF Biosecurity NZ said the decorative jar, containing about 12 seeds from the plant was designed to be opened so the recipient ...

Aus growers to appeal NZ apple import ruling - ABC via Yahoo!7 News

A group representing apple and pear growers is to appeal against the Federal Government's decision to allow in apples from New Zealand.

Meat and Dairy Industry Warned to stay Clone-Free

New Zealand's Dairy and Meat industries should position their products as "clone-free" to secure their premium-quality image and maintain a point of difference in the world market should US authorities approve cloned products.

Chathams Ferrets Threatening Rare Birds - Scoop.co.nz (press release)

Chathams Ferrets Threatening Rare Birds
Scoop.co.nz (press release), New Zealand - 8 hours ago
He said DOC's efforts to catch the ferrets were laudable, but responsibility for biosecurity lay with the Chatham Islands Council, which was not adequately ...
Ferret fears on Chattam Islands TVNZ
Ferrets found on Chathams Newstalk ZB
Concern over ferret sighting on the Chathams Radio New Zealand
Stuff.co.nz
all 5 news articles

Deadly seeds subject of inquiry (TVNZ)

Biosecurity New Zealand has launched an investigation after potentially fatal seeds made their way into the country. The seeds from the plant abrus precatorius are contained in novelty "message in a bottle" jars.

Growers to appeal NZ apple import ruling - ABC Online

Growers to appeal NZ apple import ruling
ABC Online, Australia - 4 hours ago
Biosecurity Australia cleared the way for the importation of apples from across the Tasman after its final risk assessment recommended lifting the ban, ...

National homepage (The New Zealand Herald)

A bottle containing brightly coloured, highly poisonous seeds sold as a novelty item called "message in a bottle" has been urgently recalled.

Experienced Primary Industry Leader at the Helm

AgriQuality is pleased to announce the appointment of Tony Egan as Chief Executive Officer, effective 10 April 2007.

Didymo warning - Newstalk ZB

Didymo warning
Newstalk ZB, New Zealand - Jan 5, 2007
More than 100000 plastic trigger spray bottles are being given to river users to back up Biosecurity's concerns. The bottles contain detergent for cleaning ...

Public asked to stay out of Takaka River - The Nelson Mail

Public asked to stay out of Takaka River
The Nelson Mail, New Zealand - 2 hours ago
The initiative was decided on Monday at a meeting between Biosecurity New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, Fish and Game and Tasman District Council ...
Rivers to be tested for didymo Marlborough Express
Didymo tests on 40 upper SI rivers Stuff.co.nz
all 3 news articles

Reforms come to zilch after two years

"Not a single new Aquaculture Management Area (AMA), anywhere in the country, has been created in the 730 days since the reforms came into effect," says National Party Fisheries spokesman Phil Heatley.

Bird Flu's Pandemic Potential (ABC News)

Researchers Uncover Key Mutations in Virus That Allow Human Infection

FMD contingency plans agreed (Meat News)

NEW ZEALAND/EUROPE: New Zealand and EU reach agreement on plans to handle possible animal disease outbreak. New Zealand and European Union negotiators have agreed to an insurance policy against the threat of animal diseases.

Human Tests for Bird Flu Vaccine Start (CBS News)

Government scientists say that an experimental vaccine technology could give them a jump on the constantly mutating bird flu virus.

Didymo campaign continues (TVNZ)

Water users are once again being warned to make sure their equipment is all cleaned to help prevent the spread of didymo. More than 100,000 plastic trigger spray bottles are to be given to river users as Biosecurity New Zealand tries to keep the North Island free from rock snot.

Former Affco boss to be Agriquality CEO - Stuff.co.nz

Former Affco boss to be Agriquality CEO
Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - 2 hours ago
AgriQuality chairman Rakihia Tau said the company had become a world leader in food safety and biosecurity services, with growth in annual revenues from $38 ...

New sectors of the US market cracked

Frenzs New Zealand Free Range Eggs have broken into yet another US market, commencing direct exports of its free-range eggs to Texas, following on from shell-shattering successes in Hollywood.

Rocksnot's smothering grip could yet be loosened - Stuff.co.nz

Stuff.co.nz

Rocksnot's smothering grip could yet be loosened
Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - Jan 2, 2007
But Biosecurity New Zealand, the Government's lead agency in the didymo battle, also has some good news to celebrate for a change. ...

Rocksnot's smothering grip could yet be loosened - Stuff.co.nz

Stuff.co.nz

Human Tests for Bird Flu Vaccine Start (CBS News)

Government scientists say that an experimental vaccine technology could give them a jump on the constantly mutating bird flu virus.

New sectors of the US market cracked

Frenzs New Zealand Free Range Eggs have broken into yet another US market, commencing direct exports of its free-range eggs to Texas, following on from shell-shattering successes in Hollywood.

Didymo campaign continues (TVNZ)

FMD contingency plans agreed (Meat News)

Anderton says welfare of animals critical to NZ

In an address given at the University of Canterbury School of Law today, the Minister of Agriculture, Jim Anderton, said that in a country as reliant on animals as New Zealand is, "We have to be leaders in everything related to animals. Legal developments ...