Despite political pressure from New Zealand, The Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP, Federal Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, is standing up for a stronger country of origin labelling system and AUSVEG support him in this. AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body in Australia, representing over 9,000 Australian vegetable and potato growers.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries had said that proposed labelling reforms in Australia would adversely affect New Zealand’s producers, who supply more than $2.46 billion in imports to Australia.
“Minister Joyce’s comments regarding the minimal level of impact that the proposed changes will have on our trading partners echoes AUSVEG’s belief that there is no excuse to prevent the development of a robust country of origin labelling system in Australia,” said AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy.
Australia’s country of origin labelling system was called into question in early 2015, following a health scare involving hepatitis A linked to imported frozen berries. Hepatitis A was also linked to imported berries in New Zealand last year, sparking calls for reform to New Zealand’s own country of origin labelling rules which are currently only voluntary.
“While the proposed reforms are a good first step towards a meaningful country of origin labelling system, more work needs to be done to ensure that the information consumers receive on a package leaves no doubt in their minds of its origin,” Mr Mulcahy said.
Australia’s proposed country of origin labelling reforms, revealed in July last year, are currently open for consultation for businesses and the public.
