‘Kashrut probe not a threat’
THE Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) will cooperate with a recently announced Senate Inquiry into Food Certification Schemes.
The six-month inquiry by the Senate Economics References Committee was announced last week by South Australian Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi and will look into certification schemes and certifiers for foods including kosher, halal, organic, and those that are genetically modified.
Among other matters, it will investigate labelling, whether current schemes provide enough information for Australian consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and how certification fees paid by food producers affect consumers.
The probe will also explore the importance of food certification schemes in relation to export market access, and the extent and adequacy of information available to the public about certifiers, including certification processes, fees and financial records.
ECAJ president Robert Goot told The AJN this week: “The ECAJ, in consultation with relevant Jewish community organisations, will cooperate with the inquiry and make a formal submission to it in due course.”
He added: “We don’t see the inquiry as a threat. It might even provide an opportunity to dispel some misconceptions, and thereby encourage greater understanding and respect for our religious beliefs.”
Senator Bernardi has expressed vocal concern in the past about halal certification, writing on his blog in March this year, “No one has been able to explain all the groups involved … and where the money paid actually ends up”.
Speaking to The AJN this week, Beranrdi said, “There seems to be growing community unrest at the proliferation and extent of food certification schemes – most notably, the ongoing campaign in respect to halal certification.
“Some of these concerns may be easily addressed, but first we need to establish the facts.
“By including a number of certification schemes, the committee will hopefully be able to compare and contrast the various schemes, particularly with regard to fees that are charged by certifiers.”
The inquiry comes in the wake of calls from right-wing group Reclaim Australia for halal certification to be banned and allegations that money raised from halal certification helps fund terrorism. However, both the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, and the Australian Crime Commission deny there is any evidence to substantiate such claims.
The AJN reported in March that Victorian kashrut certification agency Kosher Australia had been asked by a number of food producers to remove its symbol from their packaging. General manager Yankel Wajsbort said, “A few companies have called us and said that they have had some aggressive calls in relation to halal, and as a result they thought it was safer not to have any religious certification or affiliation in the interim.”
GARETH NARUNSKY
Coalition senator Cory Bernardi. Photo: AAP Image/Alan Porritt
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