New PrimeSafe Board To Ensure Food Safety Standards
Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford, today announced the appointment of a new board for Victoria’s meat and seafood safety regulator PrimeSafe, which for the first time consists of 50 per cent female board members.
Under the Meat Industry Act 1993, PrimeSafe regulates the meat, poultry, seafood, game meat and pet food industries through the supply chain to ensure food safety standards are met for consumers.
The board is made up of eight members who, with the chairperson, are responsible for maintaining regulatory oversight of these industries by administering requirements of the Act and related regulations, licence conditions, industry standards and third party quality assurance.
Each member has been appointed for the period of three years for their wide range of experience and food industry knowledge in fields such as quality assurance, business management, livestock production and meat processing, retail and consumer matters, public health and industrial relations.
The new members include Clamms Seafood Quality Assurance and Occupational Health and Safety Manager, Nelia Varcoe, former Department of Health Assistant Director of Environmental Health and Water Quality, Janette Bowman, and National Union of Workers Lead Organiser, Belinda Jacobi.
They will join returning board members Veterinarian, Dr Caroline Barrett, Dairy Food Safety Victoria board member, Zoe Attwood, Hardwicks Meat Works Founder, Gary Hardwick, Chief Executive of Turifoods, Chris Turner, and Wagyu beef breeder and former retail managing director, Mr Frank Whitford.
Ms Pulford acknowledged departing board members for their commitment to the red meat, poultry and seafood industries and in particular thanked Mr John Carnie for his many years of continuous service with PrimeSafe and the former Victorian Meat Authority Board, and the commitment of Mr Frank Russo and Mr Tim Mirabella.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford
“The appointed board members boast a diverse range of industry, health and governance experience that makes them the perfect choice to lead the regulation of Victoria’s top quality meat and seafood products.”
“Our $11 billion food and fibre is the future of our economy so it’s critical we continue to ensure food safety standards are met and this vital industry protected.”
“I would like to thank all new and returning board members for their dedication and commitment to food safety within Victoria’s world class red meat, poultry and seafood industries.”