This is an important consultation because this Act is one of the main pieces of legislation and agreements that that make up the joint food regulatory system that operates in Australia and New Zealand.
It mainly empowers Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to set and amend food standards and undertake other core functions. It underpins the safety of the food supply and provides a regulatory framework for how foods can enter the market in Australia and New Zealand.
The Act is now undergoing its first major review in almost 30 years and a Scoping Paper has been released for public consultation. The Paper summarises the issues and tensions observed within the system and contains numerous possible ideas for reform and discussion questions.
The Paper is available here.
Feedback on the Paper will inform a shortlist of reform opportunities that will be further researched and subject to a cost-benefit analysis. A summary of stakeholder views on the Paper will be provided as part of further regulatory impact analysis work. Findings will ultimately be collated into a Regulatory Impact Statement and further consultation will be led by the Department of Health in collaboration with its New Zealand counterpart ahead of any legislative changes.
Feedback will be collected online here until midday Monday 16 November.
CFA will participate in the consultation. CFA members interested in the contributing to CFA’s feedback should contact Ian Jarratt: ijarratt@australiamail.com.