Asurequality Approved by MAF to Carry Out Training

21 December 2009

Media Release

Asurequality Approved by MAF to Carry Out Accredited Persons Training

AsureQuality has been appointed by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) as an approved training provider for Accredited Persons training.

MAFBNZ requires all sea container transitional facilities to appoint one or more Accredited Persons (AP) to be responsible for checking imported containers. Under the MAFBNZ Standard for General Transitional Facilities and the Import Health Standard for Sea Containers, an Accredited Person is required to be present when a sea container is opened to check for pests and diseases potentially harmful to New Zealand.

“AsureQuality has a long history working with MAFBNZ and a proven track record in delivering Biosecurity services. With over 450 biosecurity events behind us we believe our experience in this area will prove invaluable when delivering Accredited Persons training,” said Andrea Murray, AsureQuality Business Manager – Biosecurity.

“We will be running regular courses throughout the North and South Islands to meet the needs of those current APs wishing to renew their certificate or new people looking to become qualified. Courses have already begun in Auckland and Hamilton,” continued Andrea.

For a person to become accredited they must have undertaken and passed the MAFBNZ approved basic biosecurity awareness training course with an Approved Training Provider. Once they have passed the initial training, all Accredited Persons need to pass a refresher training course every two years.

AsureQuality is a commercial company 100 percent owned by the New Zealand government and provides food safety and biosecurity services to the food and primary production sectors. The company taps into staff and resources from across its divisions to create a team of over 300 highly-trained biosecurity professionals available on call 24/7 to respond to biosecurity emergencies. The team coordinates the delivery of response services by AsureQuality and a network of supporting organisations.

Anyone interested in AP training can contact AsureQuality Customer Services on 0508 00 11 22.

ENDS

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