Wednesday, 19 April 2017 12:55

Fake manuka exporters told to buzz off

Written by 
The authenticity of manuka honey exported from New Zealand is to be settled once and for all. The authenticity of manuka honey exported from New Zealand is to be settled once and for all.

The authenticity of manuka honey exported from New Zealand is to be settled once and for all.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has released a scientific definition to authenticate NZ mānuka honey, hoping to seal its premium position in overseas markets.

Released last week, the definition arises from proposals for new requirements for the exporting of bee products.

Questions have arisen in overseas markets about the authenticity of some honey being sold as NZ manuka honey. Maintaining the confidence of overseas consumers in the integrity of manuka honey is a key for NZ honey exporters.

“The proposed definition and export requirements are important for the continued growth of our important export honey industry,” says MPI deputy director-general, Bryan Wilson.

Working with contracted experts, MPI has spent three years determining a science-based definition of what makes manuka honey authentic to NZ.

“Our science has been carefully planned and executed and as a result the definition is robust, sophisticated and accurate,” says Wilson.

The chief executive of Apiculture NZ, Karin Kos, is welcoming MPI’s move.

“The introduction of a regulatory science definition is a milestone in the history of the mānuka honey industry. It is a relatively young industry growing very rapidly and with huge potential.

“We signalled our willingness to work with MPI to ensure its proposed science definition is robust in meeting shared objectives for consumer confidence and authenticity, and we will make a detailed submission on behalf of industry.”

Apiculture NZ, anticipating the release of the definition, is forming an expert review team on behalf of the industry; this will examine the proposed MPI science definition. “The group will be supported by science advisors. We are only going to get one shot at this and it is important we get it right.”

MPI is aiming to bring the new requirements into effect in late July 2017.

More like this

Editorial: Agri's mojo is back

OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.

Featured

IFSO urges flood-affected residents to document damage for insurance

Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Be afraid

OPINION: Your old mate hears some of the recent uptick in farmer confidence has slipped since the political polls started…

Trust us!

OPINION: Ther'es a reason politicians rank even lower than John Campbell in the most trusted profession surveys.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter