Page 14 - Australian Pork Newspaper

National Feral Pig Co-ordinator to tackle African swine fever
MINISTER for Ag- riculture Bridget Mc- Kenzie is establish- ing a National Feral Pig Co-ordinator to tackle Australia’s fe- ral pig population as the threat of African swine fever creeps closer to Australia.
“Feral pigs cost the national agricultural sector about $14.5 mil- lion a year through production losses and that cost would balloon exponentially if Afri- can swine fever reached Australia,” Minister McKenzie said.
“As a transmitter of deadly viruses like Af- rican swine fever, in- fected feral pigs could carry the disease into locations of critical risk for pork producers.
“There would be widespread ramifica- tions for Australian agriculture if our hard- earned international reputation for produc- ing of safe, clean and green food and fibre was damaged by a dis- ease outbreak.
“There are an esti- mated 25 million feral pigs roaming across 45 percent of Australia’s landmass and the losses feral pigs cause farm- ers and pastoralists are even more acute dur- ing drought when water and feed are so pre- cious.
“Now, with the heightened risk feral pigs present as a vec- tor for disease means enough is enough.”
Northern Territory Senator Sam McMahon has called for govern- ment action.
“We’ve listened to
industry’s requests for more to be done on feral pig management and we’re acting on it, investing $1.4 million over the next three and half years to support a national feral pig co- ordinator,” Senator Mc- Mahon said.
“I’m excited by the opportunity for our government to work alongside our state and territory counterparts, industry, researchers, natural resource man- agement groups and the community to ensure this is a truly national effort that reduces feral pig numbers and less- ens the African swine fever risk.
“I commend Austral- ian Pork Limited and the National Farmers’ Federation for their ef- forts in advocating for a nationally coordinated approach to feral pig management.”
NSW Nationals Sena- tor Perin Davey said fe- ral pigs did not respect borders.
“NSW has more than its fair share of feral pigs,” Senator Davey said.
“This initiative will co-ordinate efforts across the nation to eradicate this feral pest, which is so destructive to our agricultural en- terprises and our natu- ral fauna.
“We’ve seen the suc- cess of the National Wild Dog Action Plan – and we can mirror that with this feral pig role for the benefit of not just the pig indus- try but agriculture more broadly and our beauti- ful environment.”
Australian Pork Lim- ited chief executive Margo Andrae said the co-ordinator would be based with the produc- er-owned pig industry body.
“This is a crucial op- portunity to get on the front foot nationally to better manage feral pig populations, both in the immediate context of protecting our industry from African swine fe- ver and to reduce the agricultural and envi- ronmental damage feral pigs inflict across so much of the continent,” Ms Andrae said.
“We estimate an in- cursion of African swine fever would cost Australia more than $2 billion.
“Acting on behalf of Australia’s 2700 pig producers and the 36,000 people em- ployed in our supply chains, industry and government are deter- mined to stop that hap- pening.
“This role will en- sure reliable feral pig control methods are understood and used, and strengthen the on- ground work carried out by the states.
“The co-ordination and support of indus- try, government and the community in develop- ing more safeguards to stop African swine fever from reaching our shores is already helping to protect our industry and a National Feral Pig Co-ordinator is another important way to strengthen our defences.”
Ian Prunell, Mark McKenzie and Ashley Hoffmann from Rivalea.
Responding to market drives success for award-winning pork producer
READY-to-eat roast pork complete with crunchy crackle has proved a market hit for a Riverina-based producer who has collected a swag of awards for the prod- uct, which has found its way onto millions of Aussie dinner plates since it was introduced last year.
Riverview Farms Pork Roast with Crackle re- cently scooped three ma- jor wins at the Australian Food Awards, including the Gold Medal in the Convenience Main Meals Category, Best Conveni- ence Main Meal and the Champion Australian Convenience Food trophy.
It was also a finalist for Australian Product of the Year.
The product is sold cooked, hot and ready
to eat, much like the hot chickens so many con- sumers buy each week.
Riverview Farms brand manager Ashley Hoff- mann says busy lifestyles, evolving consumer tastes and hesitation over how to cook the perfect pork roast are some of the rea- sons behind the boom in convenient options like this.
“Consumers are making more frequent, smaller trips to the supermarket each week and ready- made meals and pre- cooked products are high on the shopping list,” he said.
“Hot convenience foods offer consumers inspira- tion for ‘what will be for my dinner tonight’ or ‘my lunch right now’.
“We couldn’t shut our eyes to this change in buying behaviour, so we chose to innovate to meet the needs of the modern consumer.
“It’s been a huge success that has propelled River- view Farms to a leader- ship position for pork in the ‘grab and go’ meals category, which we’re very proud of.
“We focus on innovation, service and the very best- quality pork, and we are delighted by the way the market has embraced our
latest product offering.” Ashley said the success of the ‘ready to go’ Riv- erview Farms Pork Roast with Crackle shows con- sumers are excited about products that reduce the complexity and time re- quired to prepare their
favourite meals.
“Our research over-
whelmingly shows con- sumers choose roast pork because of the crackle but alotofusaretoobusyto prepare a roast on a regu- lar basis,” he said.
“The Riverview Farms Pork Roast with Crackle
is prepared and cooked in- store the traditional way, so consumers can now buy a pork roast they love and have it any day of the week.”
Riverview Farms is part of the Rivalea brand fam- ily, which owns and man- ages the entire production cycle of its products, from raising pigs to processing to distribution, to ensure second-to-none quality.
For more information about Riverview Farms Pork Roast with Crackle, visit riverviewfarms.com. au
The Australian Food Awards trophy.
Littleproud welcomes Aussie Farms decision
FEDERAL Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has wel- comed the decision of the Charities and Not-for-profits Com- mission to strip Aussie Farms of its charitable status.
Aussie Farms runs a website listing the pri- vate details of thousands of Australian farming families and encourag- ing activists to take part in farm invasions.
“This is a win for common sense,” Minis- ter Littleproud said.
“As Agriculture Min- ister I wrote to the
Charities Commission- er asking him to review Aussie Farms’ charita- ble status.
“Today he acted.
“I also worked with the Attorney-General to bring Aussie Farms un- der the Privacy Act with a maximum penalty of $2.1 million for breach- ing the Act.
“Charities do not in- vade people’s privacy and encourage illegal behaviour.
“Our farmers deserve respect for putting the best food in the world on our dinner tables.
“These activists put
farming families at risk by encouraging large- scale trespass.
“No one wants 50 strangers invading their backyard where their kids play.
“Aussie Farms will lose charity tax benefits after being exposed for what they are – militant activists.
“It’s time Aussie Farms came to their senses and took their attack map down.
“We will always stand behind our farmers and farming families who have done nothing wrong.”
Page 14 – Australian Pork Newspaper, December 2019
www.porknews.com.au