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Seafood Industry Forum

The Seafood Industry Forum (SIF) provides the NSW Minister for Primary Industries and the NSW Food Authority with a consistent and concise forum for dealing with matters about the Seafood Safety Scheme including:

  • its continuing operation
  • any proposed amendments.

Section 105 of the Food Act 2003 requires the Food Authority to consult with industry sectors affected by a regulatory Food Safety Scheme.

The Seafood Safety Scheme, under Food Regulation 2010, began in June 2010.

Before then, consultation between the Food Authority and the seafood industry sector was conducted through the NSW Seafood Industry Conference which was established in 2004.

A review of the Food Authority’s consultative committee arrangements was conducted in 2011-12. The Minister sought to refresh the existing structures and membership to ensure they are contemporary and representative of the needs of industry and government.

As a result of the review the Minister decided to establish a new Seafood Industry Forum for consultation, as required under the Food Act 2003. The forum continues under the Food Regulation 2015.

The Food Authority invites organisations that cover different aspects of the food safety scheme to nominate a representative. Membership appointments are for two-year terms and the committee is chaired by the Food Authority.

The forum’s membership is designed to bring expertise and new ideas to enhance strategic focus and issue resolution to the seafood industry sector.

Functions

SIF provides feedback to the Food Authority and the Minister for Primary Industries on issues relating to seafood industries including:

  • food safety policy and practices
  • the Seafood Safety Scheme
  • labelling, food handling and hygiene
  • investigating and prosecuting businesses and individuals engaged in deceptive or misleading conduct.

Meetings

The forum meets every six months, with agenda items called for one month before each meeting.

Key issues from committee meetings are reported in Foodwise and outcomes provided in this section  of the website after each meeting.

Contact your industry representative for more information.

Terms of Reference

The committee operates under agreed Terms of Reference.

The primary objective of the Forum is to contribute to the Food Authority’s goal of ensuring the production and sale of seafood which is safe and suitable for human consumption by advising on policy and practices introduced into seafood safety schemes and developed through a consultative process.

The Forum has the function of consulting with the Food Authority on food safety schemes under the Food Act 2003 (NSW) relating to the seafood industry.

The Forum and the Food Authority consult on all seafood industry matters covered by the provisions of Food Regulation 2015 including:

  • consultation on emergency management preparedness for the sector
  • consultation on emerging and contentious issues and risks for food safety
  • seeking input for provision into the development and implementation of national primary production food safety standards
  • consultation on other issues in which the seafood industry has an interest such as imported seafood standards, health claims and industry based education
  • assistance in the design and conduct of industry specific product-based surveys
  • regulatory effectiveness.

Where considered appropriate, the Forum may establish sub-committees to address specific issues between scheduled Forum meetings.

In addressing issues, the Forum will take into account, where appropriate, the policies and practices of interstate and overseas government food agencies and industry organisations.

Where appropriate, members will provide industry updates and current issues at each Forum meeting.

The Food Authority may continue to provide the Minister for Primary Industries with its own advice on issues that come before the Forum.

Membership & Charter

Representation Name/Address Email
NSW Food Authority/Chair DR LISA SZABO
Group Director Food Safety & CEO NSW Food Authority
NSW DPI Biosecurity & Food Safety
6 Avenue of the Americas
Newington NSW 2127		 lisa.szabo@dpi.nsw.gov.au



Sydney Fish Market
 

 MR ERIK POOLE
Supply & Business Development Manager
Sydney Fish Market Pty Ltd
Locked Bag 247
Pyrmont NSW 2009		 erikp@sydneyfishmarket.com.au

Association of Fishermen’s
Co-operatives		 MR ROSS FIDDEN
Chairman
Commercial Fishermen’s Co-operative Ltd
46 Marine Drive
Tea Gardens NSW 2324		 rossfidden@hotmail.com





Seafood Importers Association

 MR MARK BOULTER
Safe Sustainable Seafood
36 Maher Close
Beecroft NSW 2119

Alt. rep: Mr Norman Grant
Executive Chairman
The Seafood Importers’ Association of Australasia Inc
C/- 50 Sylvan Avenue
Lindfield NSW 2070

safesustainableseafood@gmail.com

seafooda@bigpond.net.au

 

NSW Aquaculture Association Inc

 MR ROBERT B McCORMACK
Research & Aquaculture Director, Australian Aquatic Biological Pty Ltd
Manager, Mid West Yabby & Fish Traders & RBM Aquaculture
Secretary, NSW Aquaculture Association Inc.
PO Box 3
Karuah NSW 2324		 secretary@nswaqua.com.au



Professional Fishermen’s
Association

 MS TRICIA BEATTY
Executive Officer
Professional Fishermen’s Association Inc.
69 Marina Drive
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450		 eo@pfai.com.au
Seafood wholesale / processing sector
(Tassal Group Ltd / De Costi Seafoods)

MR ANTHONY MERCER
National Seafood Procurement Manager
Tassal Group Ltd
De Costi Seafoods (Holdings) Pty Ltd
PO Box 429
Lidcombe NSW 1825

Alt rep: Ms Olivia Churchill

anthony.mercer@tassal.com.au

olivia.churchill@tassal.com.au
Master Fish Merchants Association
of Australia		 MR KERRY STRANGAS
President
The Master Fish Merchants Association of Australia
Locked Bag 247
Pyrmont NSW 2009		 kerry@mfma.com.au
NSW Department of Primary Industries

MS MELISSA WALKER
Team Leader, Aquatic Biosecurity Policy & Programs
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Port Stephens Fisheries Institute
Locked Bag 1 Nelson Bay
NSW 2316

Alt. rep: Dr Jeffrey Go

 melissa.walker@dpi.nsw.gov.au
NSW Department of Primary Industries DR SARAH BRITTON
NSW Chief Veterinary Officer and Group Director Animal Biosecurity
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Biosecurity & Food Safety NSW
Locked Bag 21
Orange NSW 2800		 sarah.britton@dpi.nsw.gov.au
NSW Department of Primary Industries MR IAN SANDERS
Director, International Engagement
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Locked Bag 21
Orange NSW 2800

Alt. rep: Ms Helen Chen
Senior Project Officer Mission & Delegation
International Engagement

ian.sanders@dpi.nsw.gov.au

helen.chen@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Contact

Enquiries regarding the SIF can be made by contacting the relevant industry representative or the NSW Food Authority helpline at: