New rules for importing PKE

Hardware disease is the perforation of the stomach wall by sharp metal fragments. It is known to occur in animals fed with contaminated Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE) which is imported into New Zealand.

PKE is an animal feed that is important to New Zealand farming. It is used to supplement feed especially during a drought.

The new rules will be issued by a notice under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicine (ACVM) Act 1997. These will set the minimum requirements for screening PKE and outline record keeping and traceability requirements for all imported animal feeds.

On introduction of the new rules all PKE imports will have to be screened in New Zealand for physical contaminants with a 4mm minimum screening mesh to remove contaminants. It is intended that the new rules will come into effect from April 21 this year. Currently, there is no mandatory requirement to screen PKE in New Zealand, although most imported PKE is already screened onshore and meets the 4mm specification. The PKE imports currently screened offshore will need to meet the new rules.

MPI deputy director general, Ben Dalton says damage to livestock through hardware disease is a known issue in farming and, after discussion with the industry, there was general agreement on the need for a mandatory minimum screening requirement to be introduced.

"It is currently a requirement for all importers to ensure that feed is fit for intended purposes. This means all animal feed should not contain physical contamination at levels that could lead to harm or distress when consumed. The new rules clarify this requirement."