Inquiry to examine truth in country of origin food labelling

Food labels are set to be scrutinised after Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce and Industry Minister Ian MacFarlane referred an inquiry into country of origin food labelling to the House of Representatives Agriculture and Industry Committee. The inquiry will examine truth and clarity in country of origin food labels.

“Despite an ever-increasing consumer desire to buy Australian-made food and produce, there is extraordinary confusion amongst the public over the ‘Made in Australia’ claim,” said committee chair Rowan Ramsey.

“Recent data indicates widespread misinterpretation of the terms ‘Made in Australia’, ‘Product of Australia’ and ‘Made from Australian and imported ingredients’.

“Further, the committee understands that loopholes currently allow some importers of food goods to circumvent Australia’s country of origin labelling requirements by staging imports in third countries. Such a practice could impact the competitiveness of Australian food in the marketplace. The committee is concerned by such reports and is seeking to address this issue in its inquiry.”

The inquiry will examine:

• whether the current Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL for food) system provides enough information for Australian consumers to make informed purchasing decisions;
• whether Australia’s CoOL laws are being complied with and, what, if any, are the practical limitations to compliance;
• whether improvements could be made, including to simplify the current system and/or reduce the compliance burden;
• whether Australia’s CoOL laws are being circumvented by staging imports through third countries; and
• the impact on Australia’s international trade obligations of any proposed changes to Australia’s CoOL laws.

The committee will accept submissions addressing one or more of these points until 2 May 2014. Further details about how to make a submission can be obtained from the committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/agind