|
|
Conference 2008
Planning for this year's conference continues and the programme is shaping up well.
There has already been great sponsorship support committed which means we will be able to put on another fantastic conference.
So thanks to the following companies:
Crown Equipment Ltd
Tranzqual ITO
Provenco Cadmus
SG Equipment Ltd
Interlogic Ltd
Southward Shelving & Racking Ltd
Notifier Inertia
EECA
Early Bird Bookings
We have introduced an Early Bird registration this year. This is mainly to encourage you to make your accommodation bookings as availability is tight in Wellington and we don't want you to miss out!
Last Date for Early Bird Registration is 12 September - so make a note in your diary.
For all conference information ...
Go to the 2008 Annual Conference page or the Sponsorship 2008 page on the website.
NZFSA Update
Cost Recovery 08/09 (Non Dairy Stores)
There is a good news - bad news story regarding cost recovery by NZFSA for the current financial year (1 July 08 - 30 June 09).
Firstly, some good news in that the amount to be recovered from NZFSA "Head Office" will stay the same for the coming year. This portion of recovered costs contributes to the following activities undertaken by NZFSA: - Standard setting
- Export standards & market access
- Approvals & registrations
- Emergency response
- Compliance
A review of the way that the charges are allocated across the cold storage sector is planned within the next 12 months and this could result in costs being charged on the basis of store size, throughput, % of export, etc. There will be consultation on this before any decisions are made however.
Secondly, and not such good news is that NZFSA VA (that is circuit TTSs and Vets) will increase their hourly rate from $81.91 to $87.25 and the programme fee will increase from $980 to $1078.
The reasons for the increases include the need to recover losses from last year due to restructuring, having an excess of staff as well as a scheduled salary review this year. Circuit staff numbers are being reduced in a number of areas as a result of most premises being on the least frequent PBV audit step combined with a number of closures of small businesses.
We were assured that NZFSA VA had done all they could to minimise any increase in charges, and given the additional costs they have incurred, as have all businesses, they seem to be reasonable. The only good news in this story is that, due to the late consulation, these new charges don't start until 1 September - so there are 2 months of this year at last years rates.
We were assured that NZFSA VA had done all they could to minimise any increase in charges, and given the additional costs they have incurred, as have all businesses, they seem to be reasonable.
NOTE:
Dairy-only stores are not included in the above. Their NZFSA costs are recovered through the exporter and by contestable verification agencies. Multi-product stores that include dairy have the option of having all their verification carried out by NZFSA VA, or can use both VA plus a second contestable agency.
New Position Created by NZFSA VA
The circuit review that has lead to VA restucturing also found that there were still issues of varying standards across the country in a number of areas. This has lead to the appointment of Peter Brown (previously Team Leader in Auckland) as a Senior Programme Manager – Circuits. This is a new position where Peter will be responsible for standardising service delivery across the country. He will also be the NZFSA VA liaison person for all the sector groups that interface with the circuits.
I am sure that all members would welcome any moves that improve the consistency of VA performance across the country!
Recent VA Issues
ED Exhaustion
Feedback from members recently has highlighted a question around the required timeframe for exhaustion of EDs. Although the OAP states that EDs must be exhausted once all product has left the premises, there are obviously many reasons why companies would prefer to allow a period of time to pass before commiting to this.
There is currently no set NZFSA policy around a suitable period of time for holding exhausted EDs. However, a policy is going to be developed in consultation with industry so hopefully something realistic will be produced that will be applied consistently in all regions.
NOTE:
Exhausting EDs does not cost anything. However, the searching involved to find EDs to exhaust does cost at the normal rates.
The more EDs you have within the system, then the more time is required for searching and hence the more it is going to cost.
E-cert ReSubmit Rates
On-going feedback has highlighted again the lack of consistency in requests for e-cert resubmits by VA. A number of examples have been received of situations where the "request resubmit" action has been used unnecessarily by VA resulting in companies resubmit rates being high and generating CARs.
VA would like to investigate situations where this occurs and would like to have examples of any situation where companies think that a "request resubmit" has been used unnecessarily. If you send details of these examples to me, all efforts will be taken to maintain anonimity.
Damaged Packaging
Another on-going issue of debate and inconsistency has also led to feedback from members recently. A very prescriptive Technical Directive drafted by VA was withdrawn following significant negative feedback from the Meat Industry Association. As a result, this still appears to be an area prone to variable interpretation.
We will continue to work with VA with an aim to developing a guideline around acceptable/unacceptable standards for damaged packaging across a range of product types. In the meantime, if you have any photos or other examples of damaged packaging, please send them to me for use in the guideline.
Compulsory Date for Changing to XML has been Delayed
We have previously reported that companies using batch files for e-cert would be required to change to XML format by September this year. However, due to the complex nature of the XML format, NZFSA have been revising the way that you will view and use XML e-certs. A simplified version is now available on the e-cert training site but not the live site. It makes XML e-certs much easier to follow and to format for use as a batch file.
So, because this format has only just become available, the compulsory change over date to XML, will now be delayed for an undefined preiod of time.
If you use batch files, however, and have not yet looked at changing over to XML, it is highly recommended that you review the new E-cert Help Files specifically on XML batch files.
Department of Labour - Hazard Alert
In case you haven't been notified already, the Department of Labour recently issued a Hazard Alert for the Safe Use of Hydrocarbon Refrigerants.
You can download a copy of this document from the DoL website.
Arrangement with Marsh Ltd
The Association has recently agreed to an informal arrangement with Marsh Ltd - the insurance brokers. The initial purpose of this arrangement is for Marsh to undertake a review the insurance needs of our sector and to determine whether there would be interest from companies to put in place practical (fire) loss control procedures.
Following this review, we are hopefull that there will be a number of benefits to arise including the potential for achieving better insurance plans for members. Marsh will provide the Association with an Action Plan based on information from their review which will be presented to members.
So, in the coming months, all members are likely to be contacted by a Marsh respresentative - probably Steve Walsh. We encourage you to participate in the review with Marsh and would welcome your feedback.
Batman Success
Staff at Wellington Port Cold Stores, led by Load Out Supervisor Gabby Bradley, recently had an innovative idea for entering a Rock Radio competition for the best Batman logo. Using pallet slips and carton tape, they created this 10 meter high Batman silhouette.
They won first prize - and $10,000!!
Congratulations.
Your Feedback
If you have any comments or questions on any material contained in this Newsletter, please contact me.
Also, if you no longer wish to receive these Newsletters, please contact me for removal from the circulation list.
Best Regards
Rachel Harvie
|
|
|
Forward this email to a friend
You are currently subscribed as: 