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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-06-22 Daily Xml
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APPELLATION CONTROL SCHEME

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:32): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a question about regional development.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: On Friday 13 May, the government issued a press release headed 'Historic food protection scheme under consideration'. The release states:

The State Government is proposing the introduction of Australia's first appellation control scheme to protect the identity and enhance the marketing of foods produced in defined regions of South Australia...As well as informing consumers, this scheme will protect valuable regional names—such as the 'Barossa', 'McLaren Vale' and 'Kangaroo Island'—from free-riding exploitation by businesses outside of these regions. High quality foods sourced and produced in South Australia's premium regions deserve additional legal protection from inferior, unsourced products.

The Australian of 9 June 2011 carried an article entitled 'Region may lose right to Riverland'. It is speculated that:

Produce grown in the Riverland, known as South Australia's fruit bowl, could soon be sold under a different name or, at worst, growers would have to pay to use the name.

The member for Chaffey has brought this article to my attention and has expressed his concern at the impact on regional promotion. The term 'Riverland' was trademarked in 1932 and its owner, fruit company So Aussie Fresh, has initiated a sale of the trademark by expression of interest. The trademark has been registered in eight countries.

The value of the trademark clearly is supported by the quality of Riverland produce and by the Riverland fruit fly free status. The expression of interest document quotes the government press release to highlight the value of the trademark. I ask the minister: as the Minister for Regional Development, will she look at purchasing the Riverland trademark to promote the development of the Riverland region, to ensure fairness in food marketing and to maintain the integrity of any appellation scheme that may be developed by the government?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:34): To the best of my knowledge, that is the issue of the purchasing of a Riverland trade name in relation to an appellation-type system. It has not been brought to my attention, as I said, to the best of my knowledge. I am not aware of problems that the Riverland might have specifically. As I said, these matters have not been raised with me. I am happy to look into the issue and to talk to key stakeholders to ensure that I understand the issues. I am happy to consider the implications of it but, at this point in time, I just do not have enough information to give a view. As I said, I am happy to talk to the relevant stakeholders, consider the issue, and take it from there.

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