Page 4 - Australian Pork Newspaper

Pork leg boneless from Aldi.
Pork fillet from Farmer Jack’s. For all of these prod-
ucts, Australian pork labels generally give little or no Boneless roast pork shoulder from Woolworths. detail of production systems.
Truth in labelling with no porkies
Pork loin chops from Woolworths.
“And that is often not the case.”
Foodwatch is asking for regular health checks on farms because the only thing currently being checked is whether the meat is edible in the end.
But I do believe that industrial-scale intensive indoor pig farming tips the balance well and truly in favour of the almighty dollar at the expense of rea- sonable animal welfare.
GERMANY is consid- ering labelling of all pork products with details dif- ferentiating five recog- nised rearing methods.
because they at least offer pigs the best possible op- portunity to display natural behaviours and instincts, I recognise there can still be inherent systemic welfare issues.
Cant
Comment
by BRENDON CANT
It won’t matter if the pork is sold online, in farmers’ markets or in supermarkets – all packaging will need to clearly nominate if the pigs were reared in what the Germans refer to as barn pens, barn pens with extra space, open-air barn pens, run and open land or organic.
It all gets down to bal- ance, as for most things in life.
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The federal government’s draft bill for new regula- tions covering animals in- cludes four core elements – a mandatory label that specifies under what condi- tions animals were held, the renovation of stables and funding for such, adjust- ments in the building and licensing laws, and better regulations in the animal welfare law.
“Just because an animal has a bit of a larger stable doesn’t mean it’s healthier.
Dare I conclude by re- peating my final paragraph in last month’s column... that is, “If you find this view unpalatable, take a moment to honestly check in with consumers and ask them what they’d prefer to spend their hard earned on, once you’ve given them the true facts about exactly what barren deprived lives pigs in industrial intensive systemsreallyendure.”
While Germany already has labels for fresh meat products in four similar categories, this is the first time such labelling would be legally binding.
“A large fraction of ani- mals, especially pigs, that are brought to slaughter- houses are in fact mas- sively sick, with diseases ranging from pneumonia to inflamed organs, and these occur in any rearing method.
“Even when a farmer consistently brings pigs to a slaughterhouse that are sick, have bitten themselves bloody, have abscesses and pneumonia, it has zero con- sequences for the farmer.”
Not surprisingly, the draft bill has copped criticism from farming bodies and consumer groups.
“They are standing in their own excrement in the stables and constantly breathing this in.
In future, Foodwatch wants farmers who consist- ently deliver sick animals to be sanctioned and those who deliver healthy ani- mals to be rewarded.
Footnote, Foodwatch is an independent non-profit organisation that exposes food-industry practices that are not in the interests of consumers.
Some consumers don’t believe the labels will make any difference, describing them as another label in the label jungle.
“They then develop ulcers and we also see many be- havioural problems, such as biting ears and tails.
On top of that, Ms Botzki is demanding that the three lowest rearing methods shouldn’t be allowed on su- permarket shelves.
Foodwatch fights for the right of consumers to know exactly what they are buying and to enjoy good food that is healthy and uncontaminated.
Agricultural expert at the German consumer organi- sation Foodwatch, Anne- marie Botzki told Germa- ny’s international broad- caster Deutsche Welle that it was basically a marketing measure to give consumers a good conscience and keep their consumption going.
Annually, approximately 13.6 million pigs in Ger- many die before they are slaughtered.
Further, we would also need agreed definitions, and this is where the debate might fire up.
And she labelled it decep- tive, saying that consumers believed a higher method of rearing meant the an- imal was healthier.
A University of Veteri- nary Medicine Hannover study showed that 13.2 percent of hogs and 11.6 percent of breeding pigs were expected to have ex- perienced severe pain for a considerable time before they died.
Essentially, all pig rearing systems need to be appro- priately and regularly mon- itored, and need to meet fair and reasonable stand- ards of animal welfare.
“They are still forced to perform on an extremely high level that often makes them sick,” Ms Botzki said.
“The health of the ani- mals isn’t a concern at all,” Ms Botzki said.
“All of that won’t be changed by the labels.”
My downunder ‘Cant Comment’ is that such packaging labelling would be a good start and should be the bare minimum.
Foodwatch was founded in 2002 in Germany by former Greenpeace di- rector Thilo Bode and has offices in Berlin, Am- sterdam and Paris.
That’s equivalent to one in five animals.
Its mission is to build a strong European cam- paign organisation that is represented in all major European Union member states and that provides consumer-focussed input into European legislative processes, advocating for more consumer rights.
While I lean towards pasture-raised systems
World Food Safety Day highlights food standards for better health
do our part in creating strong food safety sys- tems and ensuring safe food both in Australia and around the world,” Mr Hazlehurst said.
World Food Safety Day highlights Australia’s role in producing clean safe nutritious food.
WORLD Food Safety Day was a chance to highlight Australia’s role in producing clean safe nutritious food for consumption here and abroad.
safety, a key part is having sound food regulation and international food stand- ards that facilitate safe food trade.
is part of the Codex Ali- mentarius Commission, or Codex – the inter- national food standards setting body.”
Department of Agricul- ture, Water and the Envi- ronment deputy secretary David Hazlehurst said strong food safety stand- ards are a key component of strong human health.
“The department plays a significant role in en- suring food is safe for consumers, not just here in Australia but across the world.
Codex Australia works with stakeholders both here and internationally to contribute to consumer food safety by ensuring international food stand- ards are based on sound scientific principles and support the export of our safe produce to the world.
“Food safety saves lives,” Mr Hazlehurst said.
“Given that Australia exports around 70 percent of its produce, it is im- portant that we contribute strongly to the develop- ment of international food safety standards.
Australia’s food safety standards are some of the highest in the world.
“While there are lots of ways to ensure food
“That is why Australia
“We will continue to
Page 4 – Australian Pork Newspaper, July 2022
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