September 17, 2011

Australia's Northern Territory leads in seafood standards

The Northern Territory is leading the Australian seafood industry in marketing and labelling, according to the Sydney Fish Market.

Market managing director Graham Turk says other states need to follow Territory standards.

He says Australia struggles to compete with other nations on price but it cannot be beaten on quality.

"It is about giving consumers choice and part of that is about identifying seafood when it is from Australia," he said. "The Northern Territory has lead the way there, where it is taking the branding or the country of origin labelling and so on right through to retail."

Turk says consumers want to know more about the products they buy.

"There is a bit of resistance from the restaurant and catering industry," he said.

"There is a bit of resistance in letting customers have that information but I think consumers deserve that information and it is good for the industry."