Better seafood labelling demanded in Australia
An alliance of environmental and industry groups have called for clear seafood labelling in Australia.
The groups have released a statement demanding action to ensure all seafood is properly labelled so that Australians can support local and sustainable seafood.
“Australian seafood is highly valued because of the combination of quality, diversity and management credentials attributed to it. Yet, currently restaurants and takeaways are exempt from country of origin labelling requirements. Diners typically have no way of knowing where their seafood comes from,” said Greenpeace CEO, David Ritter.
“There is no logical argument why consumers get told the country of origin when they shop for seafood at the supermarket, but not when they dine out or get a take away,” Mr Ritter said.
Northern Territory Seafood Council chairman, Rob Fish, says that imported products are being passed off as Australian seafood. “Many consumers are not getting what they think they are paying for and the Australian seafood industry is losing access to the restaurant market. Action is needed now to stop the hoodwinking,” Mr Fish said.
Signed by 16 organisations, the joint statement was submitted this week as part of a nation-wide consultation being conducted by the Australian Government to improve Australia’s food labelling laws. The signatories include Commonwealth and regional industry associations representing wild-caught fishers and fish farmers, as well as environmental organisations. All are calling for country of origin labelling in restaurants and takeaway stores.
In addition, the statement is calling for the adoption of mandatory use of the Australian Fish Names Standard. A move that would remove ambiguity from menus and labels, ensuring consumers are getting the species of seafood they expect.
The signatories are: Australian Marine Conservation society, Australian Barramundi Farmers Association, Australian Prawn Farmers Association, Commonwealth Fisheries Association, Cone Bay Ocean Barramundi, Greenpeace, Lakes Entrance Fishermen's Co-op, Northern Territory Seafood Council, Professional Fishermen's Association, Sealife Trust, South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Traffic, Walker Seafood Australia, WWF, and Zoos Victoria.
Source: World Fishing & Aquaculture - 16th April 2015
