Industry associations and leaders have shared more thoughts on the House Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources report for its inquiry into food and beverage manufacturing in Australia, which was released last week.
The report, titled ‘Food for Thought: The opportunities and challenges for Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry’, made 23 recommendations.
Retail Drinks Australia’s CEO Michael Waters, told The Shout: “Retail Drinks welcomes the publication of the House Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources’ Final Report titled Food for Thought as part of its Inquiry Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry.
“Retail Drinks put forward a submission to the Inquiry in May last year stressing the importance of maintaining a vibrant local beverage manufacturing industry, noting the symbiotic relationship between consumers, producers, and retailers. The Committee makes multiple references to Retail Drinks’ submission throughout the Final Report.
“We support the Committee’s stated recommendation in forming a House Select Committee in the future to examine in detail how best to support the alcohol industry, noting the significant complexities surrounding alcohol taxation in Australia which have been publicly spotlighted in recent weeks.
“We look forward to supporting and informing the future work of a Committee in conducting a thorough and robust examination of alcohol taxation, noting the current discrepancies that exist across the sector, particularly in relation to alcohol sold in a retail environment.
“We also note the Committee’s recommendation to harmonise Container Deposit Schemes across the country which is consistent with Retail Drinks’ long-held position on this issue.”
The Independent Brewers Association (IBA) participated in the Inquiry and said it was grateful that the Committee has considered the associatopn’s issues and made recommendations on two common sense issues that it has been advocating for, for many years now:
- Digitisation and innovation opportunities for labelling – such as the implementation of QR codes; and
- The Australian Government work with state/territory and local governments and industry to harmonise Australia’s container deposit schemes.
In its statement about the report, the IBA said: “As far back as 2021 the IBA began advocating for the use of digital linking options such as QR Codes to enable manufacturers to easily communicate information direct to the consumer. Over the years we have responded to five separate consultations by Australia’s regulator – Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) on new labelling requirements for beer and each time our requests to even consider digital linking have been ignored.
“There is a global trend in which consumers want more information from their products and digital linking in all aspects of our daily lives is now common practice. This approach is common sense, and we look forward to this recommendation being adopted by FSANZ as we continue to work with them.”
Kylie Lethbridge, CEO of the IBA, said: “This is something we have long advocated for, and it is a win for consumers. It is also a win for small producers who would be able to move away from cramming more and more mandatory content in tiny font on a label – they would be able to update the information in real time and create a deeper relationship with their customers.”
The Night Time Industries Association’s CEO Mick Gibb said he was hopeful the report could be the catalyst for long-overdue changes that could lead to sustainable growth for Australia’s night-time economy.
Gibb told The Shout: “The recommendations from the House Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources Inquiry on Food and Beverage Manufacturing in Australia include some promising opportunities to address challenges in the night-time economy.
“Forming a House Select Committee to inquire into the Australian alcohol industry has the potential to explore the inefficiencies and impacts of the current alcohol excise regime.
“We would welcome an inquiry to raise the need for fairer taxation and support for businesses operating within the night-time economy.
“A reform could ease the burden on businesses and enhance competitiveness.
“We are hopeful this is the beginning of meaningful dialogue that could lead to long-overdue changes supporting sustainable growth across Australia’s night-time economy.”