Decision looms on seafood labelling laws

Australian consumer affairs ministers will consider mandatory country of origin labelling for seafood in the hospitality sector, which could cost an individual small business thousands of dollars to implement.

NSW Small Business Commissioner Chris Lamont has previously warned of the potential unintended consequences, including greater than anticipated costs, and questioned whether it makes sense to require cafes and restaurants to replace their menus whenever their seafood sourcing arrangements change.

The Commissioner made his views known in a submission to the Country of origin labelling for seafood in hospitality settings Discussion Paper published by the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

In the submission, the Commissioner said that country of origin labelling could result in significant additional compliance costs for a sector particularly hard hit by COVID-19, labour shortages, interest rate rises and increasing input costs.

Feedback to the Commission suggests the new labelling requirements would require small businesses to replace their menus at an average cost of $2,800.

Mr Lamont also cautioned the proposal may also disadvantage the Australian seafood industry if businesses found it easier to comply by sourcing imported seafood in preference to the local product.

Read the submission.