Dar seafood ppp standard

7.3.2 Costs of Option 2

7.3.2.1 Consumers and the community

This option will not impose costs on consumers or the community, over and above the costs incurred under the status quo.

7.3.2.2 Seafood industry

The impact of Option 2 limited to the high risk industry sector producing oysters and other bivalve molluscs. Businesses in this industry sector already comply with State based versions of ASQAP and, in some States, are required to have post harvest food safety programs. These requirements are administered by the States and Territories as a condition of obtaining an aquaculture licence. The additional costs on oyster growers and other primary producers in this sector as a result of this option will impact on those not already required to have food safety programs post harvest.

The effectiveness of ASQAP requirements in addressing the health and safety risks in the pre-harvest shellfish sector (including biotoxin testing) is recognised by all jurisdictions, although only recently by NSW. The cost of mandating compliance in the Code with specific pre-harvest requirements (stated in ASQAP) and food safety programs for the post-harvest activities is expected to be small, as compliance is mostly in place.
There will also be some additional compliance costs incurred further along the supply chain, for example by distributors and wholesalers, in meeting the requirements of a food safety program for these products.