Robert

Correct. States all have different codes of practice.

Imagine how unworkable that would be.

Most whats termed "recommended codes of practise" "self regulated"

Been a 'few" changes after the enquiry.

This is what we are working towards. PALE RSPCA AFIC QLD SUBS to SENATE enquiry See >http://www.halakindmeats.com/submissions.html

On a Federal Level Robert, John Howard three weeks after he was elected "the first time" went in and made for eg live exports "self regulated "within the industry.

This would indicate that as a clever politician was aware right back then that the Animal Welfare in Australia, or lack of it had the protential to reach main stream public.

To be fair he has agreed along with Minister McGaurnan to look at our project to increase Free Range Farms and building of New Abattoirs.

We have held good meetings with several Ministers including Peter McGuarans office. .

The proposal is a simply one.

Farmers deal direct with people they are already selling their stock to at the moment.

This ensures a better price to the farmer , healthy product to consumer and a win for Animal Welfare.

It would take several years to implement.

Peter Beatties Government very interested however it would be great if adopted and put up as a policy federally.

The big problem the Government has of course is the effect on the middle man.

The Government clearly does not wish to step on toes.



Muslims leaders in Australia are speaking out against live exports as well

Its quite a problem for the Government

I believe that Animal Welfare will win in the end and as it stands now 96% of the public want it banned.

Howard will have to find a compromise.

The RSPCA has long requested a national code.

Pigfarmer..oink, oink.:)

Dont get ur knickers in a twist....You are a bit of a stirrer..admittedly in a good natured kind of way...

But how can you make it 'all about the pigs' sitting on a forum fighting with ladies?

I mean..really.....

I've been offline with internet connection problems since last night -but it seems to be sorted now.
Comments about the need for a biological farming approach are spot on! At the Freeranger Farm, in Victoria that is exactly the approach we have taken with sheep, cattle and chooks. We use no chemicals (other than occasional use on veterinary advice) no nutrients other than those produced on farm and we have designed our activities to ensure there are no adverse off-site impacts. One of the major problems on Australian farms is the perception is that we must follow Euiropean farming practices and change the soil balance to favour the growth of exotic pasture - like ryegrass and clover. There are many advantages in encouraging native pasture and reducing stocking densities. If you're interested have a look at our website http://www.freeranger.com.au

I haven’t been reading this thread for a few days so I had a lot to read up on!

I was a shocked about the contents of some posts.

Not taking into account who is right or who is wrong- and without taking ‘sides’, my opinion is that making accusations against a company/organisation is unfair where there is no real evidence.
Openly attacking someone’s business is not a light thing to do and can have detrimental effects on that organisation.
Criticising each other’s opinions, yes, of course these can openly be discussed- that’s what a discussion forum is for.

Defaming someone’s business without thorough investigation of the facts (not merely an opinion) can harm someone’s family AND the people working for that organisation. Some things should be discussed privately- not openly for everyone to read.

In my opinion, it would be best to have all defamatory comments deleted. I find it hard to believe that OLO has not interfered, really- it’s pretty serious.

Pigfarmer, RObert, freeranger and others, I like this idea of a biological farming approach- makes a lot of sense and seems like the best solution so far. The average family wouldn’t be able to afford ‘organic’ produce anyway.
Pigfarmer- I can’t wait to find produce like yours in shops in my local area. Free range beef and eggs are far easier to obtain than pork.

I'm actually in the middle of organising a discussion in my neighbourhood centre to talk about animal cruelty in general and about what we can do to get more free range produce into our shops.

Yabby, to be honest, I do think ‘housewives’ comments like this can offend people, even if you don't intend to offend.
I know that you don’t usually disrespect women didn’t mean to offend, but you can make the same point using different wording without singling out one specific group of people.

RObert, thanks for this sensible comment: “… how about trying to work with the points of agreement. “ I think a comment like this is just what this discussion needed :)

Scout – “People, EVERYBODY has a right to a voice” yes, that is true and that is what makes your comments unfair. Wendy has been voicing her opinion of PALE since the beginning of this and other threads. I don’t believe all her claims and I have voiced my opinion. The big problem as I see it, is that she wants to attach her agenda to free range farmers and I feel the need to speak out for them to protect our interests. As long as wendy keeps pushing PALE here, we have the right to an opinion on it too

As for Yabby, is that all you read in his posts? Doesn’t he have the same right to his opinions? Sure, he has dished it up to all of us, and he has copped it tenfold, but if you want to take your opinions public, you have to be able to deal with it.

Freeranger – native grasses! Things are getting better & better. We have just started using the Pasture Cropping method with barley. If you are not aware of it (some states call in grain & graze) you direct drill grain crops into dormant native pastures. After harvest there is a much healthier paddock of natives. Great for soil health. We rotate our pigs on native pasture paddocks and they do extremely well on it. We have some areas that have been slow to reestablish with natives, and we have to plant to legumes or grain – no exotics. Have you read Joel Salatin? I would love to hear your opinion on the need for less litter removal in hen houses – that it is a natural source of protection for them. (contains an antibiotic or something?)

Ozgirl – could you repeat that in a language we can all understand? Or are really just a five year old, that’s what you sound like.

Celivia – this must be your first encounter then. Evidence? That’s what we keep asking for. Moving on … important to add the human welfare facts to free range along with animal welfare.

Pigfarmer, Certainly have read Joe Salatin. I've had many late night discussions with people in the US, Canada and the UK about Polyface Farm and the principles involved.
Can't say we embrace everything, but essentially the way we run our property is very similar to the methods he employs.
As for not cleaning out chook houses - we really don't have that problem because our sheds are all mobile and get moved around the paddocks on a regular basis. The sheds have slatted floors so the majority of the manure falls straight through - fertilising the pasture. There's no problem the fresh manure 'burning' the pasture as long as the sheds are moved freqently and there isn't a thick layer of fresh chook poo!
We do clean out the sheds for new flocks - mainly because there would be massive potential for infections and certainly for red mite invasions.