Country of origin labelling: Flower growers push for mandatory labelling to stop biosecurity threats

The cut flowers industry says lack of labelling on imported flowers is undermining Australia’s attempts to keep out overseas pests and diseases.

Flower growers say the mandatory country of origin labelling on cut flowers is needed to stop the spread of overseas pests.

Australia’s country-of-origin labelling system must be expanded to products other than food if the nation is serious about stopping the spread of overseas pests and diseases, the cut flower industry says.

Flower growers are continuing their push for the mandatory labelling, ahead of a recommendation on the issue expected to be handed down next month.

It comes after the Federal Government announced one of its biggest recent spends on biosecurity – $400 million over four years – in this week’s federal budget.

“One way to more easily track pests is if cut flowers are added to country of origin labelling – I believe they are currently the only fresh produce in the country excluded despite being one of the highest risk pest pathways,” Flower Industry Australia chief executive Anna Jabour said.

The country-of-origin labelling system was introduced in 2016, and applies to the majority of fresh and processed foods.

A review of the system began in July last year; a spokeswoman from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources said the evaluation was scheduled to conclude in mid-2021.

In its submission to the review, FIA said research indicated up to 90 per cent of flowers sold at the Sydney Flower Market were not Australian-grown, yet there was no easy way to distinguish between local and imported products.

“Most people wouldn’t think twice about an insect emerging from a bunch of flowers that was grown locally, however one that’s hitchhiked across the globe could (and should) ring alarm bells,” FIA wrote.

Ms Jabour said less than 20 per cent of imported flower shipments were physically inspected, leaving them prone to spreading potential pests and diseases that could wipe billions from local agriculture.

“While the biosecurity announcement is welcome news, I hope some money from this package goes toward better inspecting cut flowers that come into this country,” she said.

FIA’s call has had the support of the National Farmers’ Federation, which said mandatory labelling would help shoppers make more informed decisions about their flower purchases.

MORE
WHAT THE BUDGET DELIVERS FOR AGRICULTURE

WHAT REGIONAL AUSTRALIA GETS FROM THE BUDGET

MODEST AG BUDGET SPEND AS INDUSTRY CHASES $100B GOAL