Table A1 Feedback and response on option 1 Proposed reform initiatives in Support Concerns Response option 1 Importer declaration of producer Industry supported this initiative. – – information One submitter from industry also supported sharing information with industry on importers of failing food to educate importers and identify importers history and competence. Improved Australian Government Industry supported this initiative. Some submitters from industry requested Government has already recognised the communication during an that government improve communication need to improve communication with incident with industry during incidents by industry during food incidents and since contacting relevant industry parties early, February this year, a Food Incident Forum before any media alerts or public has been established. This communications, to avoid confusion and government/industry group is coordinated ensure the correct message is by FSANZ and enables early and timely communicated. sharing of information during food incidents. Tiered FICAs Fully supported by industry. One submitter One submitter from industry believes the Agree that the benefits of FICAs need to be stated that the alternative of an importer setting Australian Government should consider communicated to industry, particularly the up a separate company to import food under a increasing its requirements for risk foods benefits of tiered FICAs. FICA is inefficient and costly. under FICAs countries such as the EU and – Food businesses operating under a FICA US undertake food safety audits of Industry also recommended a communication have their food safety management establishments in Australia but Australia campaign to expand industry’s understanding of systems audited by the Department to imposes no reciprocal requirements and the benefits of FICAs. ensure risks associated with imported food relies solely on the provision of audit are being managed. outcomes from government or third party a risk food requires mandatory audits. This should be considered in future government certification, the Australian negotiations with export partners. Government undertakes a competent authority assessment of the exporting country.
Table A1 Feedback and response on option 1 Proposed reform initiatives in option 1 Support Concerns Response Importer declaration of producer information Industry supported this initiative. One submitter from industry also supported sharing information with industry on importers of failing food to educate importers and identify importers history and competence. – – Improved Australian Government communication during an incident Industry supported this initiative. Some submitters from industry requested that government improve communication with industry during incidents by contacting relevant industry parties early, before any media alerts or public communications, to avoid confusion and ensure the correct message is communicated. Government has already recognised the need to improve communication with industry during food incidents and since February this year, a Food Incident Forum has been established. This government/industry group is coordinated by FSANZ and enables early and timely sharing of information during food incidents. Tiered FICAs Fully supported by industry. One submitter stated that the alternative of an importer setting up a separate company to import food under a FICA is inefficient and costly. Industry also recommended a communication campaign to expand industry’s understanding of the benefits of FICAs. One submitter from industry believes the Australian Government should consider increasing its requirements for risk foods under FICAs – countries such as the EU and US undertake food safety audits of establishments in Australia but Australia imposes no reciprocal requirements and relies solely on the provision of audit outcomes from government or third party audits. This should be considered in future negotiations with export partners. Agree that the benefits of FICAs need to be communicated to industry, particularly the benefits of tiered FICAs. Food businesses operating under a FICA have their food safety management systems audited by the Department to ensure risks associated with imported food are being managed. a risk food requires mandatory government certification, the Australian Government undertakes a competent authority assessment of the exporting country.
regulation_impact_statement_3.docx