Regulator Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) says several outbreaks of foodborne illness across the three sectors in the past decade highlighted the need for the new regulations, which it describes as a positive for the industry. However, small-scale growers across Australia are worried that tightened regulations for leafy greens, melons and berries could disadvantage them and in some cases price them out of business.
In a recent statement, FSANZ says all growers will have to abide by new standards on traceability, hygiene and fertilisers.
However, small growers, of which Eliza Cannon is one, fears that their small-scale farms could be heavily impacted by the new standards. Ms Cannon is a part of a growing group of smaller producers around Australia calling for a scaled approach to the proposed rollout of new safety regulations in early 2025 so that smaller growers don't get hit with the same output costs as bigger operators.
Ms Cannon argues the produce responsible for the outbreaks did not originate from local, small-scale growers: "The leafy greens came from a massive monoculture crop system and the berries were imported from overseas.” She is also underwhelmed by the level of detail shared by FSANZ or the Department of Primary Industries, which will be responsible for the rollout of the new regulations.
Source: abc.net.au