Subject Guides: Agriculture and Agribusiness Management: Legislation, Standards and Guides

Animal Codes and Legislation

Codes of Animal Welfare
Owners or people in charge of animals must comply with the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and minimum standards for animal care and management in codes of welfare. The codes are separate from the Act because with so many different types of situations, it is impractical to include them all in the Act. Codes of welfare also have recommended best practices to set out standards of care and conduct, over and above the minimum required to meet the obligations in the Act.
Animal Welfare Act 1999
The Animal Welfare Act sets out how people should take care of and act towards animals. MPI and the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the RNZSPCA) jointly enforce the Act

Health and Safety Legislation

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Replaces the "Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992".
Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016
These work alongside "New Zealand Legislation (1995) Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995".
New Zealand Legislation (1995) Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995
Understanding the new Health and Safety at Work Act
Outlines what this legislation means for employees and employers.
WorkSafe - Agriculture
WorkSafe New Zealand (WorkSafe) is the work health and safety regulator. Their website outlines numerous good practice guidelines and information on staying safe in agriculture such as the safe use of machinery and quad bikes.
WorkSafe - Farming
Guidelines to keeping safe on the farm and identifying risks.
WorkSafe - Insecticides
Be aware of new rules that took effect in July 2015
WorkSafe - Staying safe in and around farm dairies
Best practice to reduce injuries and fatalities. Includes information on cattle control and effluent management.

Examples of relevant standards

Access New Zealand Standards Online Library

How do I find a New Zealand Standard?

Photo by Thomas Gamstaetter on Unsplash

NZS 8409:2004 - Management of agrichemicals

Provides practical and specific guidance on the safe, responsible and effective management of agrichemicals, including plant protection products (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides), veterinary medicines, fumigants used in rural situations and agricultural use of detergents and sanitizers

NZS 5433.1:2012 - Transport of dangerous goods on land - Part 1: Technical information

Part 1 details technical requirements, including classification criteria and packaging performance standards.

NZS 5433.2:2012 - Transport of dangerous goods on land - Part 2: List of dangerous goods

Part 2 contains information including the United Nations list of dangerous goods and special provisions, incorporates quantity limits for dangerous goods in excepted quantities.