The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today said mandatory country of origin food labelling standards would drive further demand for Gippsland\u2019s high quality produce.<\/p>\n
The new labelling standards, to begin in four months, will help shoppers to choose products and food grown or produced in Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis new labelling system will help shoppers to easily identify food products that have been made, grown or produced in Australia and show the percentage of the Australian-produced content in each product,\u201d Mr Chester said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralians want to support their farmers and these labels will make it easier for shoppers to make an informed choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cCountry of origin labels will help to increase demand for quality Australian produce, including that from Gippsland such as dairy, vegetable and meat products.\u201d
\nUnder the new rules, most Australian foods will need to include a bar chart and statement indicating the minimum percentage of Australian content. These foods will also carry the \u2018Australian made\u2019 kangaroo logo if it has been made, produced or grown in Australia. All food labels will need to continue to include a statement about where the food has been made, grown or produced.<\/p>\n
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said the labelling system meant shoppers could easily choose clean, green Aussie produce.<\/p>\n
\u201cAussies want to choose fair dinkum Aussie produce and our Country of Origin Labelling changes will help them,\u201d Minister Littleproud said. \u201cAussies want to support Aussie farmers \u2013 all we\u2019ve got to do is give them the information.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have seen big and small businesses already using the labels, including SPC, Nestle, Bulla, and Woolworths.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Country of Origin Labelling system has been voluntary since it was introduced in mid-2016, but from 1 July this year it will become compulsory.\u00a0 For business yet to include the Country of Origin standards on its labels, four months might seem like a long time, but it will be on us sooner than you think.\u201d<\/p>\n