Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Quality certification wanted for bulk wine exports

Updated at 7:37 am on 10 February 2010

New Zealand Winegrowers has raised concerns about lack of food safety standards covering bulk wine exports and wants certification to be introduced for quality assurance.

The organisation says before the record 2008 vintage, bulk wine accounted for only about 5% of total exports. However, the volume has now risen to about a quarter of all exports.

The wine is shipped in 24,000 litre bags and can come either from a single winery or blended with other wines.

Chief executive Philip Gregan says the concern is there are no guarantees that the wine will continue to meet New Zealand food safety standards, if it's bottled overseas.

The organisation has been holding discussions with the Food Safety Authority on the issue.

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