20 November 2009
For immediate release
AUSVEG concerned about health risks associated with rising imports
In the wake of Food Safety Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) Food Safety Week,
AUSVEG remains concerned about rising vegetable imports to Australia from
countries where safety and quality controls are less stringent.
Food Safety Week was launched on Monday 9 November by FSANZ, with the
organisation estimating there are 5.4 million cases of food poisoning in Australia each
year.
AUSVEG is the national peak industry body representing the interests of Australian
vegetable and potato growers, which includes protecting their reputation for producing
safe, nutritious and reliable products.
AUSVEG CEO, Richard Mulcahy, said it was difficult for consumers to know if the
produce they purchase in the supermarket originated from Australia, where food
safety standards are high, or from numerous other countries around the world.
“Australia has meticulous food safety regulations, including the regulation of
pesticides and where certain vegetables can and can’t be grown. We can’t guarantee
the same strict regulations are enforced internationally, and with imports rising, that’s
a real concern,” he said.
Statistics obtained from the ABS show that between 2004/05 and 2008/09 vegetable
exports have fallen by 1.6 per cent, while in that same four-year timeframe imports
have increased by more than 80 per cent.
Furthermore, consumer Price Index data recently released by the Australian Bureau
of Statistics (ABS) shows a 5.6 per cent fall in the price of vegetables for the
September quarter.
The AUSVEG CEO went on to explain falling prices partnered with rising input costs
are making it difficult for Australian vegetable growers to compete with cheap
imported products.
AUSVEG Communications Manager, Hugh Tobin said more needs to be done to
support the Australian vegetable industry, which is worth $3.2 billion annually and
employs an estimated 30,000 Australians.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Hugh Tobin, Communications Manager, AUSVEG
Phone: (03) 9544 8098, Mobile: 0431 939 920, Email: hugh.tobin@ausveg.com.au
Media Release
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