UK Defines Free Range
The UK has a new Labelling Code of Practice. Apart from clarifying country of origin issues, it also defines the term free range. The Code also allows for the use of the terms 'outdoor bred' and 'outdoor reared' and sets out guidelines for those. The Code does not allow for the use of the term 'bred free range'.
You can read the code here .....
Lisa Singh, MP
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Free-range and Organic Advertising Claims
The
Minister for Corrections and Consumer Protection, Lisa Singh, today
issued a warning to businesses regarding advertising for ‘free-range’
or ‘organic’ products that may be false or misleading.
“Whilst there is currently no legal standard or definition of the
term free-range, there is a common understanding and expectation from
consumers about what that means,” Ms Singh said.
“People have an understanding of what they believe free-range means.
‘‘Consumers purchase products such as free-range eggs or
free-range pork on the assumption that the birds or animals have been
treated in a certain manner, such as not being held in cages and having
access to pasture and shelter,” Ms Singh said.
“When it comes to ‘organic’ food, most purchasers of this type of
product would understand that the food is produced without the use of
artificial fertilisers or pesticides.
“Consumers choose to buy these types of products over others,
often paying a premium price and are entitled to receive what they paid
for.
‘‘Businesses making claims about products being ‘free-range’ or
‘organic’ may be asked to provide evidence to support their claims.
“If they are unable to substantiate their claims, prosecution action may follow.”
Ms Singh said that the penalties for false or misleading
representations under the Fair Trading Act are up to $24,000 for an
individual and $120,000 for a corporation.
Anyone with information regarding possible misleading advertising
claims regarding these type of products are urged to contact Consumer
Affairs and Fair Trading on 1300 65 44 99.
View Articl e
Make mine meat 4 June 2009
| by Olivia Collings
Whole baby pigs are also making their
mark at many top restaurants including
Pilu at Freshwater where suckling pig has
become one of chef Giovanni Pilu’s signature dishes, and at Bècasse in Sydney.
Bècasse chef and owner, Justin North,
is one chef who likes to buy and use the entire pig. North sources his pork from Melanda Park Free Range Pigs, located in
northern New South Wales. The farm
breeds free range Cornish Blacks (English
Large Blacks) and Landrace pigs, which
are the second most common pig in Australia, after the large white.
Owner and farmer Lee McCosker originally intended to breed organic pigs, but
after investigating the costs and availability of organic feed she decided it was not
viable. “During my research on pigs I dis
covered that people are more concerned
about the way the animals are grown
rather than what they are fed.”
Read full article
Woolies under fire over 'cruel' pork purchase
Mon May 11, 2009 8:38pm AEST
Supermarket giant Woolworths is continuing to buy pork from a Tasmanian
pig farmer who is facing animal cruelty charges after the piggery was
found to be maggot-infested.
Westpork Pty Ltd charged with cruelty | News
25 Mar 2009
... The defendants are
Westpork Pty Ltd, Neil Ferguson and Robert Massar. The matter has been adjourned to 29th Sept 2009
... Dispute over pork behind legal stoush
THE consultant behind former Liberal MHR Mark Baker's imminent $4
million Produce of Heaven North-West export park says she is pursuing
legal action against a mainland pig farmer who alleges he is....
Calls for a new animal inspection system
The Tasmanian Greens are calling for an end to intensive farming
practices following the discovery of emaciated pigs in a northern farm.
Activist raid finds pigs 'eaten alive' by maggots
ABC's Stateline exposes shocking conditions at a Tas piggery that supplies Woolworths.
Kirby speaks out against animal cruelty, intensive farming
6:26am | FORMER High Court judge Michael Kirby has
called for tougher sentencing for cruelty to animals and greater public
awareness of intensive farming practices.