Red tape and food safety

We all know that the term “red tape” means layers of bureaucracy that get in the way of businesses getting things done in an efficient time.

I read somewhere that the actual term “red tape” came about because there was red tape holding documents together in government departments after World War Two. These documents were needed to get the returned service people their entitlements for serving the country. Unfortunately there were many delays in those entitlements being received because of government bureaucracy – so the whole thing became known as Red Tape. The term survives until today, even if the documents are no longer held by red tape.

Governments have long recognised that easing or removing some regulations from businesses can make doing business much easier, so there are regularly reviews to remove the “red tape”.

In March the Agriculture Minister released the draft of the proposed imported food reform law. The intention of the refomed laws is to significantly reduce the red tape on food businesses, whilst still maintaining Australia’s high food safety reputation. Everyone from businesses to the public are now invited to have their say about the changes by going to http://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/commitment/suggestions-compliments-complaints

But you only have until 04 may 2017 to say what you think.

Minister Barnaby Joyce said; “The Coalition Government is committed to keeping Australia’s borders strong and has set about amending the imported food laws, the changes include giving the government greater scope to hold food at the border if there are reasonable grounds to suspect food poses a serious risk to human health.They [the new draft laws] address limitations with the current regulatory framework for the management of imported food safety risks, which were uncovered following the frozen berries linked to the hepatitis A outbreak in February 2015.”