Australia's peak vegetable industry body AusVeg has expressed concern at the country's reliance on imported produce, following the discovery of almost 10 tonnes of vegetables contaminated with excessive pesticide levels in China.
According to the China Daily, 9,610kg of toxic vegetables were discovered in the country late last month.
Chinese authorities have put controls in place since the discovery, but AusVeg communications manager Hugh Tobin said it was alarming to think other regions might be producing toxic vegetables for export.
"Australia is increasingly relying on imported produce that is unreliable in quality and is potentially harmful to our health," Mr Tobin said.
"Australian produce is grown under strict regulations ensuring consumer health is protected. Australian growers are struggling to compete with cheaper imported produce that may not be produced under the same stringent quality controls."
The Australian vegetable industry employs 30,000 Australians and is worth A$3.2bn annually, but the current trade deficit in vegetables is around A$300m each year.
"Retailers can often purchase and sell imported produce for less than it costs to buy Australian grown vegetables. Falling wholesale prices together with rising production costs make it difficult for Australian growers to compete, pushing them out of the industry," Mr Tobin said.
"Australian-grown vegetables may be available now, but with examples such as what's happened in China, it's worrying to think of the implications from our increasing reliance on imported products, particularly in frozen vegetables."
