Government calls for food import controls reform package feedback

Posted by AFN Staff Writers on 24th August 2016

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is calling for feedback from interested parties on proposed changes to the way food is imported into Australia.

The department says the proposed reforms are working with the Department of Health to improve the management of imported food safety risks without imposing costs on importers, consumers or trading partners.

The changes seek to address limitation in the current system by providing more flexible and targeted ways to prevent and respond to food safety risks.

To help explore change options, a consultation regulation impact statement has been released. The department will use the feedback from interested parties to help make a final assessment of the recommendations for change.

Those interested in reading the impact statement and making a feedback submission can do so via agriculture.gov.au/imported-food-reform or call the department on 1800 900 090 for further details. Feedback submissions close 30 September 2016.