A Bill in the name of Green MP Steffan Browning (now Gareth Hughes) drawn from the Ballot on December 8, 2016. It would set up a mandatory labelling system about the country of origin of single component foods. Completed first reading on April 12 with just ACT in opposition and was sent to the Primary Production Committee for consideration. Report back extended to 18 May 2018. Select committee released an interim report on July 11. It recommended greatly reduced coverage after numerous submissions raised concerns about complexity. The Bill would now limit this to minimally processed fresh or frozen fruit, vegetables, meat, fish or seafood, of one type only. The country of origin is defined as the place the food was grown – harvested, caught or raised – not where it was packaged, manufactured or processed. Submissions on the interim report closed on August 1 with the committee now finalising the report back of the bill due on August 29. Reported back on Aug 23 in much of the form envisaged in the interim report, however it extended regime to cover cured pork products. Second reading interrupted on Sept 19 with all parties indicating support but National warning about the excessive use of ministerial powers granted in the Bill. Second reading completed on Oct 17 with all parties in agreement. Committee stage completed on Oct 31. Passed its third reading on Nov 28 with all parties in agreement. Hughes said the Bill was just a good start and said he was frustrated at items which would be left out of labelling requirements. He hoped the Government in the future would look at extensions. Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill