Proposed food safety regulations in Tasmania are causing concern among small- and medium-scale producers, including Ines Santos and David Simmons, co-owners of Sparrow Foot Farm in the Huon Valley. Their 3-hectare market garden has thrived by selling directly to customers through a vegetable box program and farmers' markets. However, new standards for leafy greens, berries, and melons have raised questions about the future viability of their business.

Biosecurity Tasmania is currently consulting on these regulations, which were developed by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand. The initiative follows a rise in foodborne illness outbreaks linked to horticultural products in Australia. Jim Beck, product integrity manager at Biosecurity Tasmania, noted that between 2011 and 2019, there were several salmonella outbreaks, resulting in 10 deaths and 275 reported cases. He emphasized that the new regulations aim to protect the state's agricultural industry and its reputation.

The draft regulations propose an annual accreditation fee based on the number of full-time employees on a farm, ranging from $175 to $750. However, there is no mention of a tiered approach for other accreditation fees and auditing requirements, which has left smaller growers anxious about meeting commercial standards. Simmons expressed concern, stating, "In terms of vegetables going across the country, some of the regulations there make sense. But in terms of local growers and farms selling direct to their customers, I don't think it makes a lot of sense."

Biosecurity Tasmania has indicated it is considering a tiered approach to make the regulations more practical for smaller producers. However, this approach was not included in the draft currently under consultation, leading to uncertainty for growers like Simmons. He voiced his worries about the potential barriers for new farmers entering the food production industry, saying, "That doesn't seem fair to an industry that is already quite hard to make a living off."

Sprout Tasmania, a non-profit organization representing producers, has expressed frustration over the lack of clarity in the proposed regulations. Chief executive Jennifer Robinson highlighted that other states have successfully implemented tiered approaches and criticized the absence of such measures in the draft. "It just perplexes us somewhat that this really could have been in the draft regulations to start with," Robinson stated. She added that the uncertainty surrounding the regulations can be daunting for producers, urging Biosecurity Tasmania to reconsider the draft.

Submissions regarding the proposed regulations will be accepted until December 5, as stakeholders seek clarity and a fair approach to food safety standards in Tasmania's agricultural sector.