Very small meat processors will face fewer testing requirements under new rules confirmed by Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard.

Processors classed as very low throughput will need a minimum of 30 carcasses sampled in their first season, dropping to 12 in later seasons. The current requirement for most animals is 60 samples.

Hoggard said the changes are aimed at reducing compliance costs for micro abattoirs while keeping existing food safety standards in place. He said small operators “bring farmers and consumers together” and that the new settings are proportionate to the risk.

The policy follows consultation with micro operators who told officials the rules were unnecessarily restrictive and costly without improving food safety. Hoggard said the review looked to “fix what matters” while retaining a risk- and science-based approach.

The minister said the shift should make it easier for smaller operators to enter and stay in the sector, and signalled further work to remove unnecessary regulation in primary industries.

The release did not specify when the new rules take effect or define the threshold for “very low throughput.”