7 January 2011
DAFF11/077LJ
Joint media release
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr
Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr, and Agriculture Minister, Senator Joe Ludwig, today welcomed the commencement of a new law which will provide clarity for consumers and new protections for suppliers.
“Australian consumers can now expect to see more produce labelled ‘Grown in Australia’ with a new ‘Grown in’ labelling provision taking effect under the new Australian Consumer Law (ACL),” Senator Carr said.
“The new arrangements will protect growers, processors and retailers from legal action if they meet the criteria for ‘Grown in’ claims in the ACL.
“The new rules will help consumers to buy Australian produce with confidence. Producers will be more confident about marking goods as ‘Grown in Australia’ and consumers will have more certainty that they are buying Australian-grown produce.
“Consumers will remain protected from false origin claims by the enforcement activities of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the State and Territory authorities, under existing mechanisms.”
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig said the new provision will help inform consumer choice in making purchasing decisions.
“The ‘Grown In’ label joins the existing country of origin safe harbour defences ‘Made in’ and ‘Product of’ and will provide consumers with clearer advice about the source of many food products,” Senator Ludwig said.
“These changes deliver on our commitment to ‘simplify and strengthen food labelling laws including a new Grown in Australia label’.”
The ACL is a cooperative reform of the Australian and state and territory governments aimed at harmonising regulation and reducing red tape.
The ACL took effect throughout Australia on 1 January 2011. Under the ACL, all Australian consumers have the same protections, and all businesses have the same obligations and responsibilities.
