Staff updates

Last month, we welcomed Mark Aspin to the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) team as Senior Adviser Inhibitors.

Below are a few words from Mark to introduce himself.

What is your background?
I grew up on a dairy farm at Āwhitu on the Manukau Peninsula across from Auckland and completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University. Following my studies, I was a sheep & beef farmer at Massey University and then managed a quarantine farm in Manawatū for LambXL (importer of five sheep breeds). In 1992, I joined the Meat Research & Development Council (now Beef + Lamb New Zealand) managing on-farm research and working for livestock farmers. That role led me to many interesting areas of extension, science and eventually greenhouse gas. In 2004, I became the Manager of the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium (PGgRc), investing in mitigation solutions to lower methane and nitrous oxide from livestock. I left Beef + Lamb New Zealand in 2024.  

What do you do in your spare time?
My wife and I live in Korokoro and have two adult children, plying their trades in Wellington and London. Outside of work, I like to be active, being at the beck and call of two ginger cats, cooking, gardening, being outdoors and near the sea in New Zealand and traveling when we can.

I am excited to join ACVM and look forward to getting to know you all. 

We also welcomed Harriett Weeds in December to the ACVM team as Senior Advisor Monitoring and Compliance. 

Below are a few words from Harriett to introduce herself.

What is your background?
Kia ora - I began working at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) 9 years ago at the Animal Health Laboratory as a Senior Technician in Virology after completing a Masters in Veterinary Studies. I then moved to the Immunology team to carry out whole-genome sequencing for avian influenza. Prior to moving to ACVM, I worked as a Senior Advisor Quality Assurance in the Assurance, Biosafety and Containment team. 

What do you do in your spare time?
Outside of work, I am lucky enough to live rurally and currently own 3 horses, 2 dogs, 1 cat and approximately 18 sheep. I regularly compete in equestrian events, but if there's any spare time between work and the horses, I also enjoy hiking with my husband and dogs and spending time with friends and family. 
 
I'm very excited to be part of the ACVM team and look forward to contributing positively towards the compliance space.

This month, we also farewelled Joszie Weaver from the Veterinary Medicines Assessments team as she moves to a role with Biosecurity New Zealand. Joszie was with the ACVM team for 2 years and brought valuable knowledge and experience to the team, particularly in the companion animal space. We wish Joszie well in her new role.

Compliance update

ACVM compliance received 49 reports of potential or confirmed non-compliant ACVM products or activities from mid-November 2024 to mid-January 2025:

Inhibitor update

Inhibitors remain a key focus area for the ACVM team. Recently, there have been a couple of key developments.

ACVM successfully completed the assessment and registration of the first inhibitor trade name product under the ACVM Act 1997. SustaiN, a urease inhibitor product that was on the market at the Order in Council came into effect in July 2022 and was registered on 17 December 2024.

We also welcomed Mark Aspin as the new Senior Adviser Inhibitors. A profile on Mark is included in the Staff Update section.

ACVM continues to engage with industry and the registrants with active applications to ensure we are facilitating the development and access of these types of products. The next Inhibitor Operational Forum Meeting is scheduled for 2 April 2025.

Reassessment update - Bentazone

An update regarding the expanded scope of the proposed reassessment, along with a request for additional information related to tank-mixtures, co-actives and other products/actives mentioned in the directions for use, was circulated to affected registrants on Thursday 12 December 2024. ACVM has approved an extension to the original response deadline. Feedback is now due by 5pm on Friday 28 February 2025.

AMR team update

2024 antibiotic sales return data due 8 March 2025
It’s time for the annual antibiotic sales data to be collected for the 2024 Antibiotic Agricultural Compound Sales Analysis. This analysis provides a comprehensive review of antibiotic sales within the reporting period, and an overview of emerging trends that may require further consideration or changes to the regulatory framework.

If you are a registrant of antibiotic trade name products used in animals or horticulture, you should have received an email requesting you submit your annual antibiotic sales data before 8 March 2025. Please ensure you present the correct information as data errors can result in significant rework and delays in issuing the final report. If you have not received an email or have any questions, please contact the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) team on AMRteam@mpi.govt.nz. 

Upcoming AMR audits
AMR audit of dairy companies
The AMR team are starting a fact-finding audit looking at how dairy companies support prudent antibiotic use. The audit will review whether dairy company policies cover topics such as:

• antimicrobial resistance and One Health;
• antibiotic use – understanding of antibiotic classification;
• selective dry-cow therapy;
• infection prevention and control; and
• disposal of antibiotic waste.

Use of human antibiotics in the veterinary sector audit
The AMR team will be auditing the use of human medicines in the veterinary sector. Under the ACVM Act 1997 and the ACVM Regulations, human medicines that are used as veterinary medicines can only be used as veterinary medicines without ACVM registration if the requirements in the Regulations, Vet Authorisation Notice and conditions are met.

If human medicines are used, veterinarians must also ensure:

• Animals are directly under their care. If the medicine is to be dosed at home, a veterinary authorisation must be provided.
• Human medicines are not advertised for sale for use on animals.
• Suitable withholding periods are applied.
• Treatment does not cause pain or distress in animals, is safe for operators, and meets other regulatory requirements.

Monitoring audits – veterinary practices
In the second half of 2025, the AMR team will continue audits of veterinary clinics to assess AMR understanding and antibiotic stewardship. These audits are important for us to assess and improve how regulatory tools are working. Veterinary practice audits are likely to become an integral ongoing part of our AMR surveillance system and will be coordinated with any other specific AMR (such as human use) or wider ACVM audits as these occur.

ACVM Approvals Online Project update

The ACVM Approvals Online Project (the Project) aims to replace a number of existing aging, disparate systems that support the current ACVM processes.

We are excited to announce that Phase 1 of the Project is now live. If you require a class determination, you can now apply through ACVM Approvals Online on the MPI website here: Class determinations and self-determinations under the ACVM Act 1997 | NZ Government

A step-by-step user guide showing you how to use ACVM Approvals Online is available on the MPI website here: ACVM – Class Determination Quick Reference Guide

If you have trouble accessing ACVM Approvals Online, contact the Approvals team via approvals@mpi.govt.nz.

Thank you for your continued support, particularly those representatives from industry who joined the External Reference Group to guide and support this work.

We look forward to hearing your feedback and being able to support you over the next few weeks as everyone begins to use ACVM Approvals Online.

ACVM applications approved in December 2024

Agricultural chemicals application update

As of 31 January, there were:

• 30 applications in the queue
• 74 applications in appraisal
• No applications sitting with the Plant Imports Team for biosecurity approval

In the queue, there are:

• 14 new product applications (13 A-Type and 1 B-Type)
• 11 new use/use change (C4-C8) applications
• 3 Deviation applications
• 1 Data Assessment application
• 1 Data Assessment & Deviation combined application
• There are no chemistry and manufacturing variations in the queue.

Veterinary medicine application update

As of 31 January, there were:

• 29 applications in the queue
• 107 applications in appraisal
• 1 application sitting with the Animal Imports Team for biosecurity approval

In the queue, there are:

• 11 new product applications (7 A-Type and 4 B-Type)
• 3 use changes
• 11 chemistry and manufacturing variations
• 1 deviation application

Transporting animal feed and feed ingredients in repurposed vehicles – making sure they are fit for purpose

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) recently investigated animal feed and/or ingredients being transported in tankers formerly used for petroleum products, following a complaint.

NZFS regulates the importation, manufacture, transport, sale, and use of animal feed and feed ingredients to ensure they are fit for purpose under the ACVM Act 1997. The investigation found no evidence that ex-petroleum tankers compromise the fit for purpose status of animal feed, provided associated risks are identified and mitigated by all parties involved and adequate processes (including cleaning and tanker repurposing) are followed.

If companies believe the risks can be managed, and use or intend to use ex-petroleum tankers or other repurposed vehicles, tippers, or trailers (repurposed vehicles), they should be able to provide evidence demonstrating that transporting animal feed or ingredients in these vehicles will not and does not result in product non-compliant with Regulation 7 (i.e. be fit for purpose). Evidence may include test results to confirm that the vehicle and their components will not introduce contamination into the transported ingredients or products. NZFS is working to improve requirements and guidance in this area.

Manufacturers receiving feed or ingredients transported by repurposed vehicles must also hold evidence to confirm that the products are fit for purpose. Please refer to the ACVM notice for Agricultural Compounds Exempt from Registration for more information.

In addition to the requirements under the ACVM Act, members of the New Zealand Feed Manufacturers Association (NZFMA) are expected to adhere to the NZFMA’s Transport and Manufacturing code of practices. These codes state that feed and feed ingredients, either through packaging, storage, carriage, and manufacture, should never come into contact with tankers or bulk-tipping vehicles that have carried materials classed as dangerous goods under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996, including petroleum products.

If you are aware of a situation where the use of repurposed vehicles has compromised the fit for purpose status of animal feed, please report the matter to NZFS using our online reporting form or email ACVM-recallsandcompliance@mpi.govt.nz.

2025 New Zealand Pet Food Association annual conference

The annual New Zealand Pet Food Association conference will be held at the Cordis Hotel and Conference Centre, Auckland on the 27-28 February 2025.

NZFS have been involved with the conference for several years and will be attending the event again. 

For more information about the conference visit the New Zealand Petfood Association Inc. website.

ACVM News & Views survey

In our December edition last year, we included a short survey asking about your experience with receiving ACVM News & Views. We noticed we haven’t received as many responses as we hoped. Your feedback is important to us, and we'd greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to complete the survey if you haven't already.

The survey will only take 2 minutes to complete, and your responses will help us better understand customer preferences and ensure we are sending you the content you want to see.

Please complete the short survey here. The survey will close on Friday 7 March 2025.

Contact Us

ACVM Team, Assurance, New Zealand Food Safety / Haumaru Kai Aotearoa

Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

Email approvals@mpi.govt.nz  

Website Agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines (ACVM) | Agriculture | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz)