Cawthron to provide wine export certification service

From September 2009 the Cawthron Institute will offer laboratory analysis for export certification of wine destined for the EU and other export markets.  This follows the recent announcement by Kate Wilkinson the Minister for Food Safety that accredited independent laboratories will be able to carry out this testing and the Crown Research Institute, ESR, will no longer be offering a national service from October 2009.

Cawthron has a long track record in export certification and meets the criteria set out by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, as it is has full IANZ accreditation for EU wine testing and has participated in the required Inter-laboratory Comparison Programme for a number of years.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to support a thriving local and national industry with first class analytical testing” commented Gillian Wratt, Cawthron CEO.

With over seventy staff working in its analytical laboratories in Nelson and Blenheim, Cawthron is well resourced to offer a year round service and already has the majority of systems in place. Bringing the testing to a major winegrowing region allows easy communication with customers and allows a laboratory to understand and support its customers.

“We welcome the availability of first class analytical services for export wines in the region to support the growth of our industry” commented Gerald Hope, Marlborough Wine Research Centre Chief Executive.

The government has committed to continue to support the costs of the analytical testing for at least a further twelve months.

For further information:

Augusta van Wijk
Cawthron Laboratory Services
Phone: (03) 548 2319

Links:

New Zealand Food Safety Authority - New process getting your samples analysed