Mandatory country of origin seafood labelling for food service?

According to a report from the ABC, ‘Restaurants and fish and chip shops may soon be required to tell customers where the seafood being served has come from, as the federal government considers how to fulfil its commitment to implement mandatory country of origin labelling within the industry.’  Read more here.                                                                                                                                                         

Seafood Export Facilitator service is up and running

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF) Export Facilitator Services help businesses take the first step to get export-ready and navigate the export registration process. The initiative is now active, with officials reporting ‘several processors have used the service to successfully register and export their first shipments.’

Learn more here.                                                                                                                                                         

DAFF officials explore digital technology

DAFF officials are promoting their efforts to implement digital technologies that might improve exporters’ experience with compliance frameworks. Measures include remote auditing of export establishments and digitisation of various certificates (e-certs).

According to DAFF official Nicola Hinder, ‘It’s important to recognise that remote techniques are an additional tool that do not replace conventional procedures—to be used as appropriate’.

Another official has been progressing implementation of e-certs with Japan and Korea, noting: ‘eCerts are more secure. The certificates are sent between government agencies in a consistent format, which helps eliminate issues with illegible or fraudulent paper documents. They can also reduce some trade related costs because businesses don’t have to pay couriers to collect the hard copies from our offices.’

Read more on the DAFF website here.                                                                                                                                                                                          

The STAG is funded by partners:

www.seafoodtradeadvisory.com

The Seafood Trade Advisory Group (STAG) is jointly funded by the Australian government and the fishing industry. We receive funds from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).which is a statutory authority within the portfolio of the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Water and the Environment. 

 Any information provided in this STAG publication is general in nature. Before acting on any information provided, you should consider its appropriateness to your individual circumstances and business objectives.