Food Import Rules: Reforms on the Way

AUTHORITIES will be able to stop food imports at border in a bid to reduce the chances of unsafe products entering Australia.

Legislation to reform food import rules is expected to be introduced into federal Parliament today.

The new laws, which will affect about 16,000 businesses importing food to Australia each year, will allow food to be held at the border if there is reasonable suspicion of a risk to human health.

There will be a greater onus on importers, including stronger traceability requirements and the need for importers to have internationally recognised food safety controls in place.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said the reforms would address the current lack in flexibility authorities have in identifying and responding to risks, such as occurred in the 2015 hepatitis A outbreak that was linked to frozen berries imported from China.

“Australia is the proud exporter of premium, clean and safe food that meets the very high standards set by our international trading partners,” Mr Joyce said.

“Aussie consumers must have the same level of assurance if they choose to buy imported food at local supermarkets or the corner store.”

Mr Joyce said the reforms were developed in consultation with industry.“We need to provide this assurance without burdening local importers with unnecessary red tape or consumers with price increases or reduced choice,” he said.