1 March 2013

MEDIA RELEASE SENATOR BOSWELL SPOT ON AS 3rd PARTY CERTIFICATION UNDERMINES ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND POINTS TO STRUCTURAL FAILURE

The Australian Marine Alliance (AMA) today argued that Senator Boswells recent comments over the role being played by environmental NGOs to provide 3rd party certification and endorsement of key primary producers, were absolutely spot on. Dean Logan, AMA CEO argued, We agree with Senator Boswell that 3rd party certification is completely unnecessary in all situations where our processes are world class and sustainable. Many businesses already comply with literally dozens of costly accreditation programs like ISO accreditation, SGS and HACCP and pay millions in license fees and Government charges. Apparently though these programs are inadequate for key environmental NGOs, who now say you need to spend thousands to comply with OUR standard or you wont be deemed sustainable. The AMAs position is that 3rd party endorsement by environmental NGOs in key areas like commercial fishing undermines the critical role in annual assessments of resources played by Government agencies. Accreditation by NGOs is not independent as these same NGOs are the ones that benefit financially from the accreditation process. 3rd party endorsement is also hugely expensive. Thus it greatly increases prices for all seafood consumers and erodes the long-term sustainability of small cottage based family primary producers. Mr Logan, In our view 3rd party endorsement points to structural policy failure. What we need to do is transition Government agencies like AFMA back to statutory authorities, independent of both industry and political interference.

If AFMA through a rigorous scientific process deems a fishery to be fished sustainably, then consumers can be confident in the fish they eat. The same should apply to other primary producers. The solution is not another expensive program run by a mega environmental NGO, but rather the old fashioned test where primary producers and consumers trusted the system, ended Mr Logan. Australian Marine Alliance - www.australianmarinealliance.com.au NSW | ACT | SA | NT | WA | VIC | TAS | QLD For further media information, please contact: Dean Logan 0403 195 798