Egg Industry Consultative Committee
The Egg Industry Consultative Committee (EICC) is established to provide the Minister for Primary Industries and NSW Food Authority with a consistent and concise form of dealing with consultation on matters relating to the provisions of the egg food safety scheme:
- the continuing operation of the egg food safety scheme
- any proposed amendment of the egg food safety scheme.
Section 105 of the Food Act 2003 requires the Food Authority to consult with industry sectors affected by a regulatory Food Safety Scheme, in accordance with provisions of that Scheme.
The Egg Food Safety Scheme under Food Regulation 2010 commenced in June 2010. Prior to that, consultation between the Authority and the egg industry sector was carried out through the Poultry and Egg Industries Committee which was established in 2006 and disbanded in mid 2012.
A review of the Food Authority’s consultative committee arrangements was conducted in 2011–12, as the Minister sought to refresh the existing structures and membership to ensure that they were contemporary and representative of the needs of industry and government.
As a result of the review, the Minister decided to establish a separate Egg Industry Consultative Committee for the purposes of consultation required under the Food Act 2003 in relation to the Egg Food Safety Scheme. The Food Authority invited organisations that cover different aspects of the Food Safety Scheme to nominate a representative. Membership appointment is for two-years. The new committee operated under the current Food Regulation and is chaired by the Food Authority.
The Committee’s membership is designed to bring expertise and new ideas to enhance strategic focus and issue resolution across the egg industry sector.
Functions of the Egg Industry Consultative Committee
EICC provides feedback to the NSW Food Authority and the Minister for Primary Industries on issues relating to egg industries including:
-
food safety policy and practices
-
the Egg Food Safety Scheme
-
labelling, food handling and hygiene
-
investigating and prosecuting businesses and individuals engaged in deceptive or misleading conduct.
Meetings
The committee meets every 6 months, with agenda items called for 1 month before each meeting.
Meeting outcomes
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Key issues from committee meetings are reported in Foodwise.
Contact your EICC representative for more detailed information on meeting outcomes.
Terms of Reference
The committee operates under agreed Terms of Reference.
The primary objective of the Committee is to contribute to the Authority’s goal of ensuring the production and sale of eggs which are safe and suitable for human consumption, by advising on policy and practices introduced into egg food safety schemes and developed through a consultative process.
The Committee has the function of consulting with the Authority on food safety schemes under the Food Act 2003 relating to the egg industry.
The Committee and the Food Authority will consult on all egg industry matters covered by the provisions of the Food Regulation 2015. This may include:
- consultation on emergency management preparedness for the sector,
- consultation on emerging and contentious issues and risks for food safety,
- seeking input for provision into the development and implementation of national primary production food safety standards,
- consultation on other issues in which the egg industry has an interest such as labelling, stamping, health claims and industry based education, and
- assistance in the design and conduct of industry specific product-based surveys,
- regulatory effectiveness.
Where considered appropriate, the EICC may establish sub-committees to address specific issues between scheduled EICC meetings.
In addressing issues, the EICC will take into account, where appropriate, the policies and practices of interstate and overseas government food agencies and industry organisations.
Where appropriate, members will provide industry updates and current issues at each EICC meeting.
The Authority may continue to provide the Minister with its own advice on issues that come before the EICC.
EICC Charter and Procedural Guidelines
EICC Membership
| Representation | Name | Position | Organisation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chair - NSW Department of Primary Industries | Dr Lisa Szabo | Director, Food Safety - CEO Food Authority | raquel.bonnar@dpi.nsw.gov.au (Senior Branch Support Officer) | ||
| NSW Farmers Representative | Mr Brett Langfield | Chair, NSW Farmers Association Egg Committee | NSW Farmers Association | brett@lpctrading.com.au | |
| NSW Farmers Representative | Ms Peta Easey | Poultry Meat Manager | NSW Farmers Association | easeyp@nswfarmers.org.au | |
| Industry Representative | Mrs Melinda Hashimoto | CEO | Egg Farmers of Australia | ceo@eggfarmersaustralia.org | |
| Industry Representative | Mr Rowan McMonnies | Managing Director / CEO | Australian Eggs Ltd | Rowan.McMonnies@australianeggs.org.au | |
| Large Processor | Mr Paul Pace | CEO / General Manager | Pace Farm | ppace@pacefarm.com | |
| Large Processor | Mr Franko Pirovic | Managing Director | Pirovic Enterprises Pty Ltd | franko.p@pirovic.com.au | |
| Free Range/Medium Producer | Mr Peter Matuszny | General Manager | Manning Valley Free Range Eggs | peter@manningvalleyeggs.com.au | |
| NSW Department of Primary Industries | Dr Sarah Britton | NSW Chief Veterinary Officer & Group Director Animal Biosecurity | sarah.britton@dpi.nsw.gov.au | ||
| NSW Department of Primary Industries | Ms Suzanne Robinson | Director, Animal Welfare | suzanne.robinson@dpi.nsw.gov.au | ||
| NSW Department of Primary Industries | Ms Joanna Blunden | Development Officer - Poultry Eggs & Livestock Systems | joanna.blunden@dpi.nsw.gov.au | ||
| NSW Department of Primary Industries | Mr Ian Sanders | Director, International Engagement | ian.sanders@dpi.nsw.gov.au | ||
| NSW Department of Primary Industries | Mr Peter Day | Director, Compliance & Integrity Systems | peter.day@dpi.nsw.gov.au | ||
EICC contact
Enquiries regarding the EICC can be made by contacting the relevant industry representative or the NSW Food Authority helpline at contact@foodauthority.nsw.gov.au, on 1300 552 406, or by fax 02 9647 0026