"The good health of Australians must have priority" – DLP Senate Team Leader Tony Zegenhagen
DLP State Secretary and Queensland’s DLP Senate team leader Tony Zegenhagen has called for bans on imports of food from Communist China.
“Food grown and produced in Australia is the healthiest in the world,” said Tony Zegenhagen. “Our standards are not met by growers and producers in the Chinese mainland.”
“Channel Seven deserves congratulations for its role in publicising the serious shortcomings of food imports from China. Examples include use of human excrement for fertiliser and lack of controls on use of herbicides, pesticides and hormones. Further, as evidenced by the 2008 tainted milk scandal, Chinese producers use food enhancing chemicals which are not only illegal in Australia, but are also illegal in China.”
“The good health of Australians must have priority in any assessment of what can be imported,” said Mr Zegenhagen. “If Australians are harmed by Chinese food, it is doubtful that they will find anyone against whom they can bring an action in damages.”
“Another vital consideration is the danger of importing exotic diseases from which Australia is ;presently spared. Vulnerable Australian industries include salmon, apples, pork and beef.”
Mr Zegenhagen explains that Australian growers and producers are severely handicapped in competing with Chinese imports because of the high value of the Australian dollar – in part because of high domestic interest rates. The currency alignment problem is exacerbated because the Ren Min Bi is chronically and deliberately undervalued.
“We should also keep in mind that millions of people in China go hungry every day. Australians must feel uncomfortable about buying cheap food while people are starving in the country of origin.”
“I call on the Senate to initiate an Inquiry into the scope of bans which should be imposed on Chinese food. Should the bans be selective? Should importers of Chinese food be required to post bonds? These are vital questions for all Australians.”
