The National Farmers Federation (NFF) Horticulture Council is calling for an independent review of the national food safety regulators developing and implementing new food standards, focused on the updated standards introduced for fresh berries, leafy vegetables and melons yesterday (12 February).
Primary production and processing (PPP) standards, created by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and applied by relevant food regulatory agencies in each state and territory, are intended to strengthen food safety and traceability throughout the food supply chain.
The new national food safety standards for producers and processors of berries, leafy vegetables and melons were introduced in August 2022, but came into effect from 12 February, with industry given over two years to prepare for the changes.
However, the NFF Horticulture Council is calling for an extension and re-examination of this legislation, stating the additional red tape will only return new revenues, more headaches for growers, and more expensive food during a cost-of-living crisis.
NFF Horticulture Council chair, Jolyon Burnett, has written to members of the Food Ministers’ Meeting with concerns, stating certain regions are “departing from the model they’ve been handed and creating additional redtape, not for the purpose of improving food safety, but lining their own coffers.”
Burnett said there were already concerns about the predecessor body, as they started the process of changing regulations without consulting industry. He stated the Food Ministers’ Meeting in its current form is also failing to meet its essential duties.
“We are calling for an immediate and thorough independent review of its performance and its fitness as a governing body generally, with its role in developing and implementing new food standards for fresh berries, leafy vegetables and melons as a specific focus,” said Burnett.
“Most states and territories haven’t got the necessary legislation in place to put these standards into effect from today, despite having two and half years to prepare, and so we’re also calling for a 12-month extension where this is the case.
“Consumers should not be concerned about the safety of their food but about its increasing cost.
“Notwithstanding any review, we are also calling on each jurisdiction to align their implementation with the FSANZ standard, including providing for mutual recognition where growers are certified against existing voluntary food standards meeting global benchmarks,” he said.
