Seafood Consumer Hotline Now Online

Dob in a dodgy seafood dealer online

The Seafood 1800 Hotline, set up in 2005 to allow seafood consumers to report incidents of retailers mislabelling seafood, is being further strengthened with the launch of new promotional material and the addition of an online service.

Launching the new service at a meeting today of the Australian Fish Names Committee, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Eric Abetz, said that Australians are eating more and more seafood each year, so it is increasingly important that fish available for purchase is accurately labelled with both its origin and its species.

“Consumers want to know they’re getting what they paid for - if they chose to buy Australian barramundi for example, they should be getting Australian barramundi, not a cheaper substitute,” Senator Abetz said.

“The majority of seafood retailers are honest and hardworking people who support the Hotline initiative to stamp out the handful of disreputable retailers dishonestly trying to make a quick buck at the expense of Australian consumers and fishermen.

“Since 2005, the 1800 Hotline has received more than 300 calls and has raised awareness of consumers and retailers of the importance of accurate labelling.”

Senator Abetz said that the ramped-up 1800 Hotline was further evidence of the Government’s commitment to ensure consistency and accuracy in seafood labelling, and supported other Australian Government-supported initiatives including the development of an Australian Fish Names Standard and new Country of Origin labelling requirements.

“The Australian Fish Names Standard ensures consistency of labelling around the country and prevents cheaper species of fish being passed off as more expensive species,” Senator Abetz said.

“In addition, the new Country of Origin labelling requirements, which came into effect in June 2006, mean that consumers get to know exactly where the seafood in retail outlets was produced, and makes it easier to buy Australian and support local fishermen and aquaculturists should they choose to.

“I’m confident the beefed-up Seafood Hotline service will strengthen and support compliance with the Fish Names List and the Country of Origin Labelling requirements, helping consumers to make confident and informed decisions about the fish they eat.”

Seafood Consumer Hotline: 1800 737 147

Online: www.seafoodhotline.com

* Reports of seafood mislabelling received through the Hotline are referred to the relevant State or Territory agency responsible for investigating, and if necessary, taking enforcement action.

Issued: Fri Jun 22 19:54:58 EST

Reference-id: SSANEWS0171

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