New Food Labelling Code
When it comes to buying pork products, consumers say they do not have enough information to make informed decisions and are confused about terms such as ‘outdoor bred’ and ‘outdoor reared’ and the conditions in which pigs are actually reared.
The new voluntary code, which also covers country of origin and breed labelling, aims to clear up this confusion. It is the work of the Pig Meat Supply Chain Task Force [set up under Defra and chaired by the Food and Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick], which has worked in consultation with the RSPCA, retailers and the pig industry to draw up the production method labelling definitions.
The RSPCA are celebrating this development as a key move in farm animal welfare. “This is great news for people and pigs alike. We are right behind the development of this code as we believe it is essential that all pig meat is clearly and consistently labelled so shoppers can make an informed choice about what production methods they are supporting through their purchases,” said Kate Parkes, RSPCA farm animal scientist
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
