October 31, 2007

 

Australian farmers incensed by free use of Free-range definition

 

 

Following the footsteps of their American counterparts, Australian farmers are increasingly questioning the validity of the free-range brand when it its usage is freely applied to any egg or pork product.

 

Producers of free range products are up in arms over the term being used loosly but consumer protection agencies are powerless to act since there are no laws or fixed standards governing the use of the term.

 

The industry estimates that less than half the free-range eggs sold in stores would meet consumer expecations.

 

This free use of the term allow ordinary pork to command premium up to 100 percent, representatives of the free range egg and pork industries said.

 

Now, they have now joined forces to call for national standards, stating that the credibility of the industry is at stake.

 

Free-range egg sales now comprise 20 percent of total sales and is growing by 4 percent a year.

 

The Free Range Pork Farmers Association recently appealed to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to regulate farms abusing the system but was told that the organisation would not get involved because it could not enforce a definition.

 

Free Range Pork Association president Lee McCosker said the current system was unfair to consumers and animals.

 

The law should be very strictly applied to mean that pigs must have access to open pasture and shelter at all times, and not be systematically given antibiotics or hormones, McCosker said.

 

People have an image of what free range means when they buy the produce, and they are being misled, he said.