They're missing the point
I see that the Green party's Sue Kedgley is revitalising her push to get country of origin labels onto food that is sold to New Zealand consumers. Despite an apparently enthusiastic public, New Zealand's Food Safety Authority is very lukewarm on the prospect. They cite costs (which of course, the consumer eventually pays). They say that, well, it's not even a food safety issue - food sold in New Zealand must meet this standard or that standard etc etc.
They're missing the point.
They may well be right. It may not be a food safety issue at all.
It's a consumer rights issue.
If consumers want to know where what they're eating comes from, then that information should be available. Consumers don't have to have a rational reason for that. Sure, some people will take country of origin labeling as an excuse to exercise a bit of xenophobia or racism in the guise of national pride. But others will be interested in the human rights record of some countries. Maybe some consumers care about the environmental record of some regimes, or about oppressive work practices. Still others will realise that food safety standards, in terms of permitted chemicals and the like, differ around the world.
And no, this is not a veiled slight at China, or even any third world producer. Even our neighbour to the west allows certain chemicals in their pork production which are banned in New Zealand (and that encourage me to buy New Zealand made).
So in lieu of any rules about this, consumers can make their voices known by not buying goods that are not properly labeled - and by enquiring at point of sale when the labels aren't clear. Smart producers and retailers will react accordingly. If they can sell more to us (and be more profitable) by giving us the information we want, that's the ultimate incentive - with or without regulations.
The challenge too is to ensure that when we are forced or requested to label our produce as "Made in New Zealand" that we can do so confident that the label represents quality produce from a country with pride in its workers' and human rights record, and from a clean environment.
So it may not be a food safety issue. And it might not even require regulation.
But it's a fine idea.
They're missing the point.
They may well be right. It may not be a food safety issue at all.
It's a consumer rights issue.
If consumers want to know where what they're eating comes from, then that information should be available. Consumers don't have to have a rational reason for that. Sure, some people will take country of origin labeling as an excuse to exercise a bit of xenophobia or racism in the guise of national pride. But others will be interested in the human rights record of some countries. Maybe some consumers care about the environmental record of some regimes, or about oppressive work practices. Still others will realise that food safety standards, in terms of permitted chemicals and the like, differ around the world.
And no, this is not a veiled slight at China, or even any third world producer. Even our neighbour to the west allows certain chemicals in their pork production which are banned in New Zealand (and that encourage me to buy New Zealand made).
So in lieu of any rules about this, consumers can make their voices known by not buying goods that are not properly labeled - and by enquiring at point of sale when the labels aren't clear. Smart producers and retailers will react accordingly. If they can sell more to us (and be more profitable) by giving us the information we want, that's the ultimate incentive - with or without regulations.
The challenge too is to ensure that when we are forced or requested to label our produce as "Made in New Zealand" that we can do so confident that the label represents quality produce from a country with pride in its workers' and human rights record, and from a clean environment.
So it may not be a food safety issue. And it might not even require regulation.
But it's a fine idea.
Labels: Thoughts
posted by Mary at 7:51 pm
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