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July 7, 2010
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Australian initiative to increase support for local-grown pork
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The Australian Ham Week is an initiative launched on Monday (July 5) to help Australian consumers better identify and support local-grown pork.
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Australian pork producers have been battling against the flood of subsidised imports of bacon from Denmark, and leg meat (ham) from US and Canada. More than US$10 million worth of pork imports, or over 2.6 million kg of frozen pork, arrives by boat in Australia every week. This imported meat represents over 70% of Australia's ham, bacon and small goods consumption.
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To fight back and regain some of this lost ground, the initiative has been launched by the Australian pork industry producer body, Australian Pork Limited (APL), and has been called Australian Ham Week. This initiative is also timed for the month-long Christmas in July celebrations.
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To fight back and regain some of this lost ground, the initiative has been launched by the Australian pork industry producer body, Australian Pork Limited (APL), and has been called Australian Ham Week. This initiative is also timed for the month-long Christmas in July celebrations.
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Australian Ham Week will highlight the Australian PorkMark label. The hot pink Australian PorkMark logo is a sure fired way to guarantee what is in the packet is 100% Australian home grown and manufactured ham.
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The inaugural Australian Ham Week will be heralded with the announcement of the winners of the Australian PorkMark Ham Awards for Excellence.
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Consumer research has shown that 87% of Australians prefer to buy Australian grown food if they could identify it, but the existing country of origin labelling regulations makes it difficult for consumers to do this.
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APL CEO Andrew Spencer said, "Traditional Australian grocery labelling laws are vague and very confusing for consumers. The square, pink Australian PorkMark is a no-ifs-no-buts guarantee of Australian origin."
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To-date, there are 178 butchers and small goods manufacturers in Australia that are licensed to display the PorkMark logo on their products, which are the finest small goods available in Australia.
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The inaugural Australian Ham Week will be heralded with the announcement of the winners of the Australian PorkMark Ham Awards for Excellence.
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Consumer research has shown that 87% of Australians prefer to buy Australian grown food if they could identify it, but the existing country of origin labelling regulations makes it difficult for consumers to do this.
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APL CEO Andrew Spencer said, "Traditional Australian grocery labelling laws are vague and very confusing for consumers. The square, pink Australian PorkMark is a no-ifs-no-buts guarantee of Australian origin."
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To-date, there are 178 butchers and small goods manufacturers in Australia that are licensed to display the PorkMark logo on their products, which are the finest small goods available in Australia.
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As an essential part of the Yuletide feast, central to Christmas in July celebrations and throughout the ensuing cold months, Australian Ham Week will not only showcase quality Australian ham, but will also raise awareness of the importance of supporting the local Australian pork industry.
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Open to all small goods processors that make their ham from Australian grown pork, the entries for Australian PorkMark Ham Awards for Excellence were divided into two categories, bone-in and boneless; and judged against key criteria, including appearance, texture, aroma and taste.
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Open to all small goods processors that make their ham from Australian grown pork, the entries for Australian PorkMark Ham Awards for Excellence were divided into two categories, bone-in and boneless; and judged against key criteria, including appearance, texture, aroma and taste.
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The judges were two chefs with broad international experience including working in Michelin starred restaurants, cruise liners and premier teaching institutions, and a Fleischmeister with a Masters degree in Butchering and Small goods from the Master College in Monchen Gladbach Germany.
