Ministerial inquiry a breath of fresh air for free range pork farmers

A Ministerial inquiry has been launched to gain consensus on what rearing practices constitute genuine free-range pork.

The inquiry follows a recent ACCC report condoning the practice, by some intensive pork farmers, of marketing pork as free range that had lived outdoors for less than the first four weeks of it's life.

The ACCC report cited consumer confusion over the difference between 'free range' and 'free range bred' as a reason to allow the practice to continue.

The ministerial inquiry, instigated by Clover Moore, follows a campaign by the Free Range Pork Farmers Association (FRPFA), a small group of free range pork farmers who have established a charter and certification for best practice free range pork rearing.

FRPFA spokesperson and free range pork farmer Lee McCosker said, "The vast majority of consumers we've surveyed are astounded that there's no standard definition for free range pork. They automatically assume it's regulated, like organic certification."

"The genuine free range pork industry is growing fast, as consumers become educated about the ethical issues associated with intensive pig farming, as well as the quality and health benefits of free range pork."

"A clear definition and sensible regulation are essential to avoid consumer confusion and unscrupulous marketing methods by a small portion of the intensive farming industry," she said.