One Voice - Edition 12

Following more than two years of calling for a national food and grocery agenda by AFGC, the Federal Government convened the first meeting of the new National Food Policy Working Group.  It will advise on issues and policies affecting Australia's agrifood industries into the future.  The Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Joe Ludwig (pictured), said the group - in which AFGC is represented - would provide a forum for communication between industry and government, foster common understanding of industry priorities, challenges and future outlook.

• Senator Ludwig's Media Release >>
  
• AFGC's call for a National Food & Grocery Agenda >>
  
• Food policy forum an important first step >>
  

Supply Chain

Coles increases Product Recall / Withdrawal Levy
  Members are advised that Coles / BiLo supermarkets have increased the Product Recall / Withdrawal charge, levied against suppliers from $75 to $85 (incl GST) per store from 1 Dec. 2010.  Access the updated A and NZ Product Recall & Withdrawal Form
online at the AFGC website.

Project Information Brochure - COAG Road Reform Plan
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Road Reform Project (CRRP) management team has taken note of recent industry feedback and developed a project management information brochure as an information tool offering a snap shot of their work plan.  Read more and download the document in the Member Centre / Supply Chain / What's New. 


Safe Rates, Safe Roads Discussion Paper - open for public comment
This discussion paper, released by Parliamentary Secretary for Workplace Relations, Senator Jacinta Collins, explores options for a national approach to truck drivers' pay and conditions and safety measures across the industry.  Read more in the Member Centre / Supply Chain / What's New. 


Pallet Labelling Toolkit Launched
Retailers in the food, grocery and liquor industry identified incorrect pallet labelling as a major supply chain issue for retail distribution centres.  A 2010 industry sample audit found that approximately 44% of pallet labels are not meeting agreed upon industry requirements.  Efficient Consumer Response Australasia (ECRA) and GS1 Australia in conjunction with a group of industry experts has developed a toolkit to assist industry. The toolkit includes resources to assist in improving logistics label compliance.  Access toolkit contents >>

• Logistics Labels 2010 Status Report
• Getting the Best Out of Logistics Labels
• A short video on positioning and application
• Supplier Considerations
• GS1 Logistics Labelling Service

Government & Regulation

Moves to block gene patents
The debate on banning gene patents has escalated with Senators Helen Coonan, Bill Heffernan, Rachel Siewert and Nick Xenophon advancing bills in both Houses.  If progressed in its current form, the Bill introduced to the Senate on 24 November would have far-reaching and unintended consequences across the bio-tech industry and could affect the food and grocery manufacturing sector.  AFGC will be working with AusBiotech and CropLife Australia to determine the potential impacts of the Bill and seek to develop a consistent industry position in any opportunity to make submissions to the Senate.  Member companies are invited to provide comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it about potential impacts this Bill might have on their business.  Fore more details, log in to Member Centre / Health & Nutrition / Action Updates.  


Blewett Food Labelling Review
Federal and State food ministers received an interim version of the comprehensive Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy on 3 Dec.  The review panel, chaired by former health minister Neal Blewett, is expected to brief ministers on its findings.  The panel is still to finalise the report, which covers a range of controversial labelling questions including genetically modified food, health food and contents labels for alcohol.  The final report of the Review Panel is due to be presented to COAG in early 2011.  AFGC gave comprehensive evidence to the review panel during the year:  Read AFGC's Submission on Food Labelling >>





Health, Nutrition & Scientific Affairs

Mandatory Reporting Requirements to ACCC
AFGC is revising the AFGC Crisis Management Guidelines - free for members and for purchase for non-members - in light of new Australian Consumer Law requirements on mandatory reporting requirements to ACCC.  AFGC will also provide recommended guidance as to the documentary and risk assessment processes companies will need to take into account in the new year. 

What is changing?  "Mandatory Reporting" is a new requirement under Australian Consumer Law, taking effect on 1 January 2011, requiring suppliers, manufacturers and retailers to report to the Federal Government learning about a food or grocery product causing death, serious injury or illness within two days.  There are exceptions to this requirement.  More detailed information is available in Member Centre / Health & Nutrition / Action Updates. 


Import / Export Certification Workshop - Presentation Slides
Download post-event materials for this workshop in the Members Centre / Presentation & Event Resources.

Sustainability

Industry visits enhance engagement
AFGC and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) organised a recent site visit tour in Sydney to engage with government representatives from Canberra.  A dozen FSANZ, Dept Forestry Fisheries and Agriculture (DAFF) and AFGC staff visited Unilever's Streets Ice Cream factory in Minto on 25 November and Lion Nathan National Foods milk processing factory in Penrith on 26 November.  The visits were successful in increasing awareness of FSANZ staff of regulatory impacts and challenges facing the industry from Government and consumer pressures.  AFGC thanks all involved and in particular to Julie Newlands, Unilever and Andrew Simson, National Foods for their time and effort in organising and hosting the site visits.


Consumer Goods Forum announces initiatives on climate protection
Two major initiatives were announced on 29 November at the Cancun Climate Summit: 1) Ending deforestation, and 2) Ending use of refrigerant gases with high global warming potential.  On deforestation, CGF pledged to mobilise their collective resources to help achieve zero net deforestation by 2020.  On refrigeration, CGF agreed to begin phasing out hydro-fluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants from 2015 and replace them with non-HFC refrigerants. 

• Read the full CFG statement.  
• Read the PRNewswire article.
  

Human Rights Working Group for Business
Global Compact Network Australia invites AFGC full and associate members to the launch of a new initiative: Human Rights Working Group for Business.  This event will be held from 8:00am - 12:30pm, Friday 10 December in Melbourne.  Learn more >>

Using recycled crushed glass on Victorian roads
For the first time, Australia now has standard specifications for the use of recycled crushed glass in asphalt, concrete, road base and pipe embedment.  These national specifications have been developed by AFGC's Packaging Stewardship Forum (PSF) for use by local and state authorities and others responsible for the procurement of materials and the construction of paving and roads.

The new specifications - funded by AFGC's PSF - were developed by ARRB Group and peer reviewed by GHD’s Geotechnical Division. The specifications provide the appropriate proportions and technical requirements for blending crushed glass with natural gravels and sand in the construction of roads and pavements.

PSF launched these first national specifications for the manufacture and supply of recycled crushed glass in civil engineering applications at Alex Fraser Group, Victoria, on 26 November 2010.  Read more >>



Industry News

• ACCC wanted to enforce unit pricing
  
• Salt reduction strategies
  
• ACCC & Metcash face off over Franklins
  
• Sugar lessens aggressive behaviour
  
• Brussels: No such thing as pure chocolate
  
• FSANZ sets up high-level consumer and public health group
  
• NT CDL scheme will cost consumers