Tangible Benefits for Australian Farmers from Country of Origin Labelling

Country of Origin Labeling (CoOL) in Australia is long overdue. The link below gives more insight into the Government's proposed new CoOL scheme:

http://www.industry.gov.au/industry/IndustrySectors/FoodManufacturingIndustry/Pages/Country-of-Origin-Labelling.aspx


As a consumer I am tired of combing the back of packets to determine where the food is made, if it is an Australian product and whether the company is Australian owned. I simply want to be able to make an informed decision at the grocery store as to what food I put on my family's table, and this I imagine applies to most Australian families from across all income ranges, no matter their budgetary restraints. 

The new CoOL scheme offers much more information at a glance than currently exists. There is still however, more room for improvement, especially to name the country from where the imported food has originated, every time, not just when companies might like to comply. It is pleasing that foreign owned companies like Simplot who invest greatly in Australian vegetable growers will eligible to show a 100% Australian grown label. 

BUT what is the tangible benefit that will flow back to our Australian farmer? As the proposed CoOL scheme stands there will be no benefit to our farmers. The consumer will benefit, but is demand really going to drive up an increase in seasonally produced foods? Will the Australian wheat grower experience a marked rise in price for their product or the Australian livestock farmer find an increase in farm gate prices? Will the Australian fruit grower experience increased demand for their fruit? No. There will be no significant change.

With careful thought, industry consultation and proactive efforts, we can make a difference for our farmers. Effective and positive changes can be made in the following areas:

1. Tangible benefits for our Australian farmers through uniting under a single easily identifiable label.

These benefits would entail less regulation and interference from government, activists and consumers, ultimately decreasing red and green tape costs.

2. Greater consumer awareness of the standards and assurance programs under which our Australian farmers operate to produce some of the healthiest food (and fibre) in the worlds.

Our consumers trust Australian farmers, but need to grow a greater understanding of why. This should cross over from the domestic market place to our international consumers in export destinations.

3. Unifying Australian agriculture under a single label.

Many agricultural industries have tried individually to make a difference in this space. As a unified industry, the strength of our position would be magnified greatly. 

These changes can occur without reinventing the wheel, without huge costs to implement and most importantly, with great costs or imposition to our farmers. 

Are you interested to find out more?

November this year (2015) will see the Vice Chair (Andrew Blenkiron) of the Red Tractor Assured Food Scheme (UK) visit Australia. He will be key note speaker at a forum in Roma, Queensland, along with a tour of the Maranoa area and farms, before travelling to Canberra to attend additional engagements.

The link below gives more information about the Red Tractor UK:

http://www.redtractor.org.uk/

We can learn much from the Red Tractor experience. We can adapt and grow something that can operate in our Australian agricultural industries effectively. We can grow consumer awareness and understanding.

If you are wanting to make a proactive change that will deliver tangible benefits please get in touch.

This is our biggest opportunity to make an effective difference, but we need to get it right.