Findings released in a performance audit by the Auditor General have confirmed community concerns that processes for checking imported products, like frozen berries, into Australia are not working properly and must be re-evaluated.

“The audit of the Imported Food Inspection Scheme has confirmed that the system for checking imported products are ‘incomplete and inconsistent’, this must prompt a shakeup of the sector”, says Australian Greens spokesperson on Agriculture, Senator Rachel Siewert.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has today said it is a major concern that the Government is still going through the approval processes for the well overdue Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper with no clear end in sight.

“Questioning in estimates this morning confirmed there is no final date set yet and that the White Paper was still going through the approval process.

Australian Greens spokesperson on Agriculture Senator Rachel Siewert said today that increased checks on imported berries are welcome but more must be done to strengthen the response to potentially contaminated products entering the country.

“With the recent Hepatitis A scare it is clear that the Department of Agriculture has its hands tied when it comes to ramping up consignment checks for products that continue to come in once a potential contamination has been identified.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has said the passing of the long anticipated Biosecurity Bill through the Senate today is welcomed but could have been strengthened by 51 amendments proposed by the Australian Greens that weren’t supported.

“The Australian Greens welcome the much needed upgrade of Biosecurity legislation in Australia, this Bill will strengthen biosecurity nationally.   

“The Bill was a significant step forward compared to the previous bill and previous Quarantine Act, but there are still some areas that need to be fixed.

The Greens have called out the Abbott Government for holding up vital country of origin food labelling laws which would protect South Australian growers.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (18:24): I rise to speak on the Biosecurity Bill 2014 and four separate but related bills. My colleague senator Rachel Siewert has set out in a detailed way why this bill does need to be supported but it needs to be strengthened to gain that support. The majority committee report has a number of very useful recommendations regarding the bill, and the Greens amendments detail why we need to protect our environment, our industry and our economy. Biosecurity issues go to the very fabric of society. They are just so important.

1998
Senator Bob Brown moved amendments to the 'Made in Australia' legislation, and not one Labor or Coalition Senator supported move to make 'Made in Australia' labelling mean just that - 100% made in Australia.

August 2005
Senator Bob Brown introduced food labelling legislation to require all packaged and unpackaged food placed on the market in Australia must have a label identifying its country of origin

September 2005
Coalition and Labor oppose the Greens' Truth in Labelling Bill in the Senate

Under questioning by Greens Senator Rachel Siewert, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed berries being imported to Australia are not being subjected to any extra safety checks, in spite of contaminated products sparking an outbreak of Hepatitis A.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Dr Paul Grimes has told a Senate Estimates hearing this morning, "We have not made changes on surveillance rates broadly at this stage."

Senator Siewert has described that as a completely ludicrous failure.

Senator RHIANNON: Which countries currently import kangaroo products?

Dr V Findlay : There are 68 countries. Just let me find my list, but I am not sure you want me to read out all 68.

Senator RHIANNON: No, I do not want you to read them out. Could you take it on notice, and could it include what kangaroo product is imported, the weight of the imports for each of those products and the financial value of each product, and could that be since June 2013?

Dr V Findlay : Yes, we have that information available.