CoOL bill stalled by committee report

AUSVEG has expressed disappointment in the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee’s decision not to endorse amendments to the Australian Food Labelling Bill. The committee recently released a report on these amendments, in which it recommended that the Bill as drafted should not be passed.

“Obviously we are disappointed that this draft of the Bill has not been endorsed, as country of origin labelling in its current form is incredibly difficult to understand and in vital need of an overhaul,” said AUSVEG Public Affairs Manager William Churchill.

The Greens say they intend to further improve the Bill to address the recommendations. Churchill called on the Labor, Liberal and National parties to clarify their respective positions on country of origin labelling (CoOL) laws.

The report also acknowledged the widely held belief that current labelling terminology and standards are misleading. Senator Nick Xenophon refers in the report to comments made by AUSVEG about “a glaring loophole in our laws in that a vegetable from a third country could be packaged in New Zealand and labelled as a ‘Product of New Zealand’”.

“While such a practice can occur, the confusion of Australian consumers regarding the origin of their produce is entirely understandable,” Churchill said. “The current laws negate the right of the Australian consumer to make informed decisions and be confident in the origin of their produce.”