[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: Howard government set to betray Tas growers over labelling rules: Greens

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 4 May 2006

Howard government set to betray Tas growers over labelling rules: Greens

The Howard government is set to betray Tasmanian growers over
country-of-origin labelling rules and exempting major supermarket chains
from the revamped Retail Grocery Industry Code of Conduct, Australian
Greens Senator for Tasmania Christine Milne said today.

"At the meeting tomorrow of the Australia and New Zealand Food
Regulation Ministerial Council, it will be up to state governments to
stand up to the federal government and push for country-of-origin
labelling for packaged and canned food," Senator Milne said in Hobart.

"Consumers currently have no idea where packaged and canned food is
grown as Australian food companies import cheaper produce and package it
here to the detriment of Tasmanian vegetable growers.

"Vegetables grown overseas are cheaper because of weak or non-existent
regulation relating to the environment and chemical use and low wages
and poor working conditions.

"Instead of engaging in a race to the bottom competing on low prices,
the Howard government should be backing Australian growers and giving
Australian consumers the information they need so they can buy
Australian product.

"The limited labelling changes that take effect next month are not
enough. The government claims that better labelling laws would cost too
much, but it ignores the cost to human health, the environment, and
Australian regional economies of the status quo.

"A voluntary code labelling scheme is no substitute for strong
regulation. Nor is it acceptable for the federal government to exempt
the major supermarket chains from the mandatory code for growers and
buyers."

Senator Milne called on all Liberal senators and Liberal Member for
Braddon, Mark Baker, and Liberal Member for Bass, Michael Ferguson, to
state their position on the federal government's back-down.

"Mark Baker placed himself front and centre of the Tasmanian tractor
convoy to Canberra last year, it is now time for him and his colleagues
to deliver for Tasmanian vegetable growers," Senator Milne said.

More information: Katrina Willis 03 6234 4566 or 0437 587 562


Katrina Willis
Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone 03 6234 4566
Fax 03 6234 2144
Mobile 0437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au