Dissenting report – Mr Adam Bandt, MP, Australian Greens
There is widespread community support for the labelling of
palm oil. Consumers expect that they will be able to choose whether or not to
purchase items containing palm oil.
This support was reflected in the passage of the Food
Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling –Palm Oil) Bill 2011 through the
Senate.
It is disappointing that the Government is not prepared to
support this Bill and that the Coalition has altered its level of support.
If there are, as the Government alleges, barriers to the
Parliament passing the Bill, then the Government has the power to remove those
barriers, and should do everything necessary to enable labelling of palm oil
and the passage of this Bill.
Further, the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy has
been underway for two years and the rate of reform is frustratingly slow. The
main driver for food labelling should be conveying information that enables
consumers to make informed choices, rather than the demands of the food
industry. Further the Ministerial Council should set a very clear direction for
FSANZ to improve its response to consumer requirements, including environmental
and ethical concerns as well as food safety issues.
Recommendation 1:
The House of Representatives
proceed to pass the Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling –Palm Oil)
Bill 2011 and requests that the Government take all steps necessary to enable
the prompt passage and effective implementation of the Bill.
Recommendation 2:
The committee submits to the
Ministerial Council meeting in December that a comprehensive system of food
labelling be implemented without delay, in particular the labelling of food
products containing palm oil.
Mr Adam Bandt, MP