The PSA opposes the Government’s proposal to privatise export red meat inspection services.

MPI’s proposal would mean that most of New Zealand’s inspection of red meat for export would no longer be carried out by independent inspectors employed by AsureQuality, the government-owned independent meat inspection organisation. Instead, most of the inspection would be done by staff employed directly by the meat companies themselves. It’s a case of the fox guarding the henhouse, and company staff will face pressure to focus on speed instead of safety.

The PSA’s submission on the proposal

The PSA made a submission on the proposed changes. You can read our submission here.

What happens next

Public consultation on the proposal ended on 23 January 2026. Now officials at MPI will be considering the feedback they received before making final decisions.

We will be continuing to raise our concerns about this proposal and seeking regular updates from MPI about the proposal. If you’re a PSA member at AsureQuality you’ll get updates from us when there’s new information.

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See what the PSA has been saying

Plan to privatise meat inspectors risks food safety & export markets (November2025)

Food quality and safety will suffer if meat inspection service is privatised as Govt proposes (June 2025)

Facebook reel of Keith Gutsell, retired meat inspector, with the PSA at Parliament to protest the Government’s proposal to privatise meat inspection services

Facebook reel of PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons at Parliament, talking about new analysis came about the real costs of privatising meat inspection

Govt's own meat inspection service damns flawed privatisation plan (December 2025)

Meat inspectors come out strongly against Govt plan to privatise meat inspection service - urge plan to be scrapped (January 2026)

Govt ignores threat of contaminated meat exported to key US market as MPI admits faecal contamination not a food safety issue (January 2026)

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Check out media coverage of the issue

How the sausage is made could be about to change: Meat inspectors fear MPI changes | The Post

Meat self-inspection plans could impact food safety, warns PSA - NZ Herald

Trial of meat inspection system begins | RNZ News

Privatised meat inspections could increase costs, reduce flexibility - report | RNZ News

Leaked BDO report says privatising meat inspections will drive up costs | The Post

PSA sends fresh warning to US embassy over meat inspector changes | Newsroom

Former PSA head applies for top meat role | Farmers Weely

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