Large Suppliers and Labeling Regulations

Senator Richard Colbeck questioned the practice of large suppliers mimicking small producer labelling, prompting discussion from Mick Keogh and Parnos Munyard. The key issue was large suppliers using labelling that resembles small producers', making it hard for consumers to tell them apart. The conversation highlighted that under the Competition and Consumer Act, there's no obligation to disclose a product's ownership by a large entity, but the overall impression must not be misleading. While country of origin must be stated, there's no requirement to disclose the manufacturer, which could be a processor rather than the owner. Senator Colbeck sought clarification on labelling requirements, particularly for pseudo-brands. He was told there's no express requirement for consumers to understand who the manufacturer or provider is. The discussion emphasized the importance of considering the overall impression created by labelling and the need for case-by-case evaluation to ensure consumer protection. The conversation also touched on the challenge of ensuring a product's provenance and the potential for consumers to prioritise price over provenance. Parnos Munyard mentioned mechanisms under the act that could provide information, such as an information standard, but this would need careful consideration to avoid imposing unnecessary costs on the industry. The inquiry into labelling regulations and consumer protection is ongoing, with further discussion and examination of the issues at hand. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry may consider information standards as part of a report, with the terms of reference allowing for an examination of information standards as part of the inquiry.