Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Xenophon for his first supplementary question. The Australia New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council, made up of ministers from the Commonwealth, state and territory governments of Australia and representatives from New Zealand and the Council of Australian Governments, COAG, has established an independent review panel to conduct a formal review of food labelling law and policy. The review panel is concerned to ensure that all relevant food labelling issues be considered, including the enforcement of food labelling.

The Australian government is committed to both simplifying and strengthening food labelling laws for the benefit of Australian consumers. The Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No. 2) 2010, due to come into effect from 1 January 2011, includes a provision for a ‘grown in’ claim to be made when produce is not only made but also grown in the country claimed as the country of origin. (Time expired)