Retchub:”Well, as you mentioned it, pigs are actually a clean animal, much cleaner than dogs. They would be just as happy lazing around in your pool as in the mud.

In that case it was me that missed something important. I had a grubby little horror of a pet pig.

“Ok, so I assume you work. Do you go to work to make a profit (wage)”

Err… no I don’t but I get the sentiment. I couldn’t knowingly work to further or support abuse. I also hadn’t thought much about intensive farming until about a week ago so yes I have probably bought meat from unhappy animals. I’m not going to anymore. Oh, question: How does one know the difference when shopping?

“Now I am the first to agree that 'cowboys', in any industry should be prosecuted. The same as many butchers add preservatives and offal to the mince they sell. It doesn't mean we are all bad, does it!”

Bloody hell – do they? Like when you just buy plain mince? No you’re right; I didn’t mean to imply any overgeneralisations.

“As long as there is a huge demand for food and consumers want the best price, short cuts will always occur.”

Whose job is it to stop it? And I still can’t work out who visits these farms and monitors how they are run.

“And for the record, I don't hate animals and I do feel for the ones who have to endure cruelty, but not all are like this.”

It’s not hate though is it, more that people don’t look too closely because we might then feel the need to do something about it or not sleep at night.

“By all means stamp out the cowboys, you have my full support and I support you 100% on a total ban on live exports.”

Cheers. Why does Australia export things alive anyway? How does that make more money than having a factory in Oz do it and then send it all wrapped up in one of those big freezer ships?

Whose job is it to stop it? And I still can’t work out who visits these farms and monitors how they are run.

They are monitored in QLD by Safe Food. SF monitors all production, processing and retailing of meats. Look uo their web site if you wish.

Well, i am not emotionally attached to the animals that I cut up and sell. I do however only buy from acrredited suppliers and place my trust in the system. I have no choice.

Cheers. Why does Australia export things alive anyway? How does that make more money than having a factory in Oz do it and then send it all wrapped up in one of those big freezer ships?
Well, this one will go un-answered for ever I think. Got me!

Retchub:"They are monitored in QLD by Safe Food. SF monitors all production, processing and retailing of meats. Look up their web site if you wish."

I will go find them, no idea why this subject suddenly struck a note with me. Think it was my sick dog which I suspect might be upgraded now to dying dog.

Safe food - they sounds like an organisation that is concerned about the final product. Don't the RCPCA crowd go check out farms - wouldn't they be the ones that were worried about the animals while they are alive?

"...and place my trust in the system. I have no choice."

Crikey - does anyone who can read and write trust a system? I think you have no choice but to question everything in this life baby.

""...having a factory in Oz do it and then send it all wrapped up in one of those big freezer ships?""
"Well, this one will go un-answered for ever I think. Got me!"

Anyone else round here know? I cannot work out why there would be more money in it so I guess I am missing something people in this business know that to me, ethics aside, has no logic.

For any one who still thinks factory farming is in the best interests of the pigs,or our own health for that matter, check this out
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/08/2565046.htm

For any one who still thinks factory farming is in the best interests of the pigs,or our own health for that matter, check this out
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/08/2565046.htm

Oh, yuck. But thank you - I was all over the place trying to work out if the RSPCA inspected these places and looks like they don't.

So if an intensive farm is this bad it first takes someone to have knowledge of it and then all they can do is ring the police?

Is this one of the systems that Rechtub trusts in?

The more I hang around here the more depressed I become, far too much reality for someone who's neighbours clap if I manage to get past the mailbox.

Thanks for the link PF. The news is unsurprising but certainly abominable. And only the large use of antibiotics is keeping these filthy incarcerated animals alive. Equally abominable are the greedy hogs who grow these pitiful animals and then expect consumers to eat them. I mean let's face it - you couldn't even serve one up to a Nazi on Anzac Day.

However, it doesn't stop there either. The use of non-therapeutic antibiotics on Australia's favourite farmed fish, Atlantic salmon, has risen disturbingly as diseases flare in their sea pens.

From 12 kilograms a year a decade ago, the antibiotics used at salmon and trout farms totalled almost eight tonnes in the first three months this year, according to government departmental figures.

Tasmania's Primary Industries Minister, David Llewllyn, said it is disturbing … that the industry has used nearly double the amount of antibiotics than was anticipated in the permit applications.

Strange that he's expressed concern given that he appears totally indifferent to Tasmania's disgraceful operations in the industrialised farming of pigs? Oink oink! Or should that be wink wink?