Just in time for the Christmas market, the Pork Industry Board has launched a new "PigCare" label.
The label will start appearing on pork products sold in supermarkets and butcheries from December. But we don't think it helps consumers.
The label's development follows widespread publicity about the welfare of pigs confined in sow stalls. However, the label doesn't tell you whether sow stalls are used on the farm where the pork comes from. All it indicates is that the farmer meets the minimum standards of the animal welfare code for pigs.
The code currently allows the use of sow stalls. But following a review, Minister of Agriculture David Carter has announced that stalls are to be prohibited by the end of 2015. The use of farrowing crates will still be permitted.
Sow stalls are used to house pigs during the early stages of pregnancy. The stalls provide room for the pig to stand or lie down but not turn around. Farrowing crates are used after the sow has given birth, mainly to stop her squashing the piglets. Animal welfare groups believe both should be banned.
You want to buy pork from farms that don't use sow stalls or farrowing crates? Your best bet is to look for products that are certified organic or carry the SPCA's "blue tick". The blue tick shows the farm complies with the SPCA's welfare code, which prohibits the use of crates and stalls. Freedom Farms and Harmony Foods both have the tick.
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The unethical side of commercial entrprise is displayed with this bogus labeling. A last ditch attempt at duping the public.
What responsible farmer would want to be included under the umbrella of the Pork Industry Board. A typical industry board that one assumes operates with good practice in mind but just serves to prolong disgusting welfare standards.
Their gravity defying scam will just heighten their fall.
We have access from our local butcher of free range pork, but it comes from the south island (Havoc) but I have now found out about happypigs.co.nz free range pork from Wellington. They courier around the country and very reasonable prices. I've just ordered my ham for Xmas. Hopefully within the next few years we will have much more choice and it will be up to us consumers where we spend our dollars.
It will obviously not apply to pork but consumers need to know that all NZ lamb being sent to the UK is killed according to Islamic customs and is being boycotted there for that reason.
It is also appearing in our butchers and supermarkets though not labelled as such so those who choose not to consume meat prepared in that way and according to Islamic rituals and prayers get the right to choose another product.
All food whether imported or local should have to meet the same labelling and welfare standards. Other countries have standards on our food exports that they don't have on their own local suppliers so it is time NZ started insisting that any food imports meet the same on farm/orchard etc standards that is required by NZ growers.
Thankfully a couple of suppliers now say that they are free range on their label. For years I have not bought pork products because I could not guarantee that the animals had been humanely treated. I feel the same way about buying chicken.
Does the pork board think that we are all stupid. They are treating us as such. I know only buy free range pork, and even then not very often as it is hard to get.