Australian food security lax: Greens

Australia's response to the Chinese milk scandal has been inadequate, the Australian Greens said today.
 
"Other countries have responded more rapidly and comprehensively - here in Australia we don't know how many products may contain melamine, we have been slow to test products that pose a risk, and we don't have a comprehensive strategy to deal with the issue," said Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert.
 
"In the Senate last week the Government could not adequately answer my questions over the safety of Chinese milk products being imported into Australia."
 
"All Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) has done is issue a media advisory advising people not to eat lollies that are suspected of being contaminated. In light of the fact that more and more products around the world are being found to be contaminated, a stronger approach is needed by our Government," she said.
 
"At present, only 5% of each consignment arriving in Australia is being tested for melamine. The Government recently announced an additional $100,000 for testing, which is a welcome step, but a simpler method would be to stop imports of all Chinese products containing milk, at least until comprehensive testing has been undertaken. The European Union, along with several nations around the world, have banned some products as a precautionary method and others have removed products from the shelves. Surely we should be doing the same?"
 
"We simply don't know if contaminated products have come into Australia, because they haven't been properly tested."
 
"The National Association of Retail Grocers of Australia has stated that every major supermarket in Australia potentially carries products with contaminated Chinese milk powder as a result of the poor regulation of imported food products. What is the response from FSANZ? They issue a voluntary recall of one product," said Senator Siewert.
 
"The Government is quick to defend FSANZ's handling of this issue, but how can they give any assurances to the Australian public without substantial local testing?"
 
"When countries around the world are issuing recalls and banning these milk imports, the Government needs to ensure that adequate testing is undertaken to assess the public risk," she concluded.
 
For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418 401 180
senator.siewert@aph.gov.au  |  www.rachelsiewert.org.au  | www.greensmps.org.au