Food Labelling — Content and Origin 7. SUE KEDGLEY (Green) to the Minister for Food Safety: Is it Government policy that New Zealanders have the right to know what is in the food they eat and where it comes from; if not, why not? Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister for Food Safety): It is Government policy to ensure that the food New Zealanders eat is safe, and to provide as much consumer information as is practicable. SUE KEDGLEY: Why is the Minister's Government actively opposing mandatory country-of-origin labelling for food, despite widespread public support for it, and why is it stating in international forums like Codex that New Zealand opposes country-of-origin labelling on imported food being dated, and will not support any move towards mandatory country-of-origin labelling for food? Hon ANNETTE KING: First, this Government is not actively campaigning against country-of-origin labelling. However, a standard is being drawn up by Food Standards Australia New Zealand and is being consulted on at this time, but we have made it clear, and have made it clear for many years, that our position on this issue has not changed. Our position is that country-of-origin labelling is a commercial issue, that it is best dealt with by fair trading and trade practice laws, and that we support a voluntary system of country-of-origin labelling. DAVE HEREORA: Has she seen any reports that claim New Zealand "is on the verge of importing nuked food for the first time."? Hon ANNETTE KING: Yes, I have seen the Green Party's website, which claims that we are on the verge of importing "nuked food" for the first time, when the truth is that we have had imported irradiated spices for several years. The difference today is that this Government requires such food to be labelled. I think New Zealanders have the right to know the truth. SUE KEDGLEY: Can she confirm that the Fair Trading Act does not require manufacturers to state where food comes from, and given that New Zealanders eat a greater proportion of imported food than most OECD countries, why is the Government, which presents itself as being open and honest, denying consumers their right to know where food comes from? Hon ANNETTE KING: The Fair Trading Act does not require manufacturers to say where food comes from, but it is a mechanism to ensure that people are truthful in anything they do say. I note that the member herself made a complaint under the Fair Trading Act when she decided that someone was making a deceitful claim in selling imported food, so obviously the member thought it was a good-enough vehicle to use. DAVE HEREORA: Has she seen any reports that claim that free-range food is best? Hon ANNETTE KING: Yes I have seen a report on the Green Party website, claiming that animals reared intensively are often contaminated with diseases such as campylobacter and salmonella. There is no evidence to support this claim. There is actually a higher incidence of salmonella in free-range eggs than in eggs that are battery-farmed. I think New Zealanders have a right to know the truth. SUE KEDGLEY: Can she explain why the Government supports mandatory country-of-origin labelling for footwear and clothing, but not for food, especially when mandatory country-of-origin labelling for food would make it easier to recall potentially contaminated food, help prevent bioterrorism, protect public health and safety, and help consumers make informed choices about food they buy, or reasons why the Australian states support mandatory country-of-origin labelling? Hon ANNETTE KING: I can inform the member — and I will read from the joint communiqué that comes from Australia and New Zealand — that the issue of country-of-origin labelling "is not a public health or safety issue. The safety of the food supply is assured by other means." So the member is incorrect in her assumptions. SUE KEDGLEY: If the majority of New Zealanders support the Food Standards Australia New Zealand proposal for a mandatory joint food standard for country-of-origin labelling of food, which is presently out for consultation, will the Government support the joint standard for mandatory country-of-origin labelling; if not, why not? Hon ANNETTE KING: The Government will consider the submissions made to Food Standards Australia New Zealand when we receive them. I suspect, however, that the majority of New Zealanders will not make submissions.