Seafood labelling at restaurants is back on the agenda

The Federal Government is considering “state of origin” labelling for seafood sold at restaurants.

It will investigate extending country of origin labelling for seafood to restaurants and other eateries, ensuring customers know whether their meal is an Australian product or imported.

The change is nothing if not controversial.

Last year, the two major parties joined forces in the Senate to reject a bill changing seafood labelling laws. The bill, co-sponsored by independent Senator Nick Xenophon and Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, was recommended by a Senate Committee inquiring into seafood labelling.

It also comes at a time when the New South Wales government is considering a labelling scheme requiring restaurants to reveal what country their seafood comes from.

This would be similar to a scheme in place in the Northern Territory where restaurants and fish and chip shops have to clearly identify whether their seafood is imported.

And not surprisingly, the idea has already attracted some controversy with the South Australian Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell saying the labelling should be even more specific and identify from which the state the product is sourced.

“I fully support state of origin labelling for seafood served in Australia,” Mr Bignell told news.com.au.

“Many diners may mistakenly assume iconic seafood like prawns and garfish are caught locally when, in fact, a majority of seafood is imported.

“Given SA provides a large amount of the nation’s catch, our fishing sector would be a huge winner.”

Federal Industry minister Greg Hunt says a working group will look at whether such a labelling scheme would work in practice.

“It is what my assistant minister has described ‘as dealing with the seafood basket question’ — how you deal with an ever-changing product that has a multiplicity of sources without imposing an unnecessary burden on the restaurant and catering sector; something that none of us would want to do,” Mr Hunt told Parliament.

by Leon Gettler, December 5^th 2016