Senate Committee on the right track with seafood labelling

The Australian Made Campaign has welcomed new recommendations by the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee to extend the country-of-origin labelling of seafood to restaurants and fast food outlets in all States and Territories.

The Australian Made Campaign is the not-for-profit organisation that administers and promotes the green-and-gold kangaroo logo, Australia’s registered country-of-origin certification trade mark for the full range of products and produce.

“The country-of-origin food labelling legislation has been in place in retailing for a long time now, and it makes sense for this to be extended to foodservice,” Australian Made Campaign Chief Executive, Ian Harrison said.

“The Australian Made Campaign strongly supports giving consumers more information about where their food comes from.”

Research* shows that 90% of Australians are more likely to buy seafood products labelled as being locally grown or harvested.

“Australia faces increasing competition in the seafood industry, so it is important that consumers be able to readily identify where the produce they buy is sourced from. When consumers purchase Australian seafood they are supporting local jobs and local communities,” Mr Harrison said.

“It’s no secret that Australia produces world-class seafood that is fresh, tastes great, and is good for your health too.”

The Committee has recommended that the restaurant and catering industry should have 12 months to transition to the new arrangement.

The kangaroo logo’s ‘Australian Seafood’ descriptor was launched in 2011 in conjunction with the fishing and aquaculture sectors, with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, to give consumers reliable information about where their seafood comes from.

“It clearly brands and identifies local seafood, and we look forward to seeing it used more extensively in the foodservice industries following the implementation of these recommendations,” Mr Harrison said.

“All fresh and processed seafood carrying the logo must be caught and processed entirely in Australia.”

“Labelling requirements should be clear, straightforward and above all consistent,” Mr Harrison said.

For more information, visit www.australianmade.com.au.

The comprehensive report from the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee can be found here.