Self appointed President of the Free Range Pork Farmers Association (FRPFA), Fiona Chambers, has decided 'bred' free range producers should now come under the umbrella of the free range association. *
Founding member of FRPFA, Lee McCosker, has walked away from the Association and wants to send a clear message that she does not support Chambers or her actions.
"What a sad day this is. I think I speak for the majority of true free range pork
producers when I say that I am appalled by this groups careless and
irresponsible actions.
You really do have to question the motives of the people involved because they are not considering the interests of the hundreds of
small free range producers in this country.
" says a disappointed McCosker.
"I dont quite understand what their motivation is, but it is clearly not in the interest of the free range industry."
The new plans for FRPFA are in stark contradiction with information on Chamber's own website that states "Bred Free Range is a loose descriptor and continues to be a widely misunderstood term".
Also contradicting himself is James Casper, supporter of Chambers and member of the committee of FRFPA. Only a few weeks ago he was heard on national radio declaring that Bred Free Range is only a step up from intensively farmed pigs and the actual pork you are buying is not free range. He goes on to say that having the words 'free range' in that descriptor is misleading for consumers. Casper also states that he does not want be classed with people where the welfare of animals is not as good genuine free range. You can hear the full story
here ... Lee McCosker is angry and so are many other free range producers. "I operate a commercial, viable business and I have earned
the right to differentiate my product from other pork production systems. We have worked hard for over 3 years to set ourselves apart from industrialized pig farming and we are going to keep it that way" she says. "If this group wants to start an association that encompasses
bred free range operators that is there right to do so, but, do not do it under
the banner of free range pork."
"We are moving on from this and staying true to our producers.
The Free Range Pig Producers Association is the only organization dedicated to supporting true free range production. Its simple, its free range or it isnt."
*
SMH article