PORTER AWAITS OUTCOME OF FOOD LABELLING SUBMISSION

Ms Mary Porter AM MLA, Member for Ginninderra, said today that she is eagerly awaiting the final report of the Food Labelling Review, which will be provided to the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council in December 2010.

“I made a submission to this review process because I believe that mandatory legislation is critical on labelling for animal related food products for a number of reasons,” Ms Porter said.

“Critically, it increases the information provided by consumers.”

“In the ACT, for example, the Eggs (Cage Systems) Legislation Amendment Act 2009 became effective on 1 January 2010 with the intention of improving point of sale information about egg production systems. Clearly, this information must be accurate for such legislation to be effective. Unfortunately, recent data suggests that there are more ‘free range’ eggs sold in Australia than are produced,” Ms Porter stated.

Submissions were invited to be lodged by 14 May 2010, and submissions can be found on: http://www.foodlabellingreview.gov.au/internet/foodlabelling/publishing....

Over 700 submissions were lodged (Ms Porter’s submission was 00628).

“Mandatory legislation of animal derived products will also ensure a level playing field across the industry.

“Legislation to mandate the labelling of animal derived products endures that consumers have the capacity to base their consumption on a minimal level of accurate information that is not currently open to them. Indeed, labelling increases the freedom of choice open to consumers,” Ms Porter said.

“In terms of animal derived products, I have full confidence that animal welfare will be improved if consumers have accurate information on which they can base their choices.

“I fully support this process, and am happy to have made a contribution to it,” Ms Porter concluded.

Information on the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy can be found on: http://www.foodlabellingreview.gov.au/internet/foodlabelling/publishing....
Statement Ends
Media Contact: Andrew Hunter 02 6205 0428 bh 0431 739 775
Andrew.hunter@parliament.act.gov.au