CoOl will be Green priority in post-election agreement

Mandatory country of origin labelling of fresh food will be one of the priority issues the Green Party will seek to negotiate in any post-election policy agreement.

"There is overwhelming support for country of origin labelling, so consumers can work out where their food comes from," Green Party food spokesperson MP Sue Kedgley said today.

"It's time that other political parties listened to consumers and introduced mandatory country of origin labelling for fresh produce and single ingredient foods."

"We have mandatory country of origin labelling for footwear and clothing, so people can work out where their jandals and tee shirts come from. Why not for food?

"We imported around $4 billion worth of food last year, and consumers have a right to know which countries it comes from.

"Around half of the pork on sale in New Zealand is imported, but consumers won't know whether it comes from Poland or Argentina ."

Ms Kedgley said there is no requirement for retailers to advise consumers where their food comes from, and many don't bother to inform them.

"We need mandatory country of origin labelling of food to ensure consistency and compliance. Voluntary country of origin labelling doesn't work, and even where it has been introduced it has been patchy and inconsistent," Ms Kedgley said.

Ms Kedgley said there would be little cost to introduce country of origin labelling of fresh produce, because it could be done at point of sale.

"It's as simple as putting a sign near the cauliflower or the bacon."

Ms Kedgley said most consumers, if they had a choice, would buy New Zealand produced food.

"This is good for our economy, the people grow and produce food, and it keeps New Zealanders in jobs."