EGG INDUSTRY SAYS COLONY FARMING HUMANE The New Zealand egg industry has hit out at SAFE claims that colony farming has caused increased mortality and poor welfare among layer hens, saying the footage made public has resulted from an isolated incident on a new farm struggling to learn a different regime. Executive director of the Egg Producer Federation Michael Brooks says colony farming has a very low level of mortality – lower than both free range and barn – and is considered by the Animal Welfare Code as either consistent or superior to other types of farming. “With all three farming systems there are going to be deaths in flocks, that’s nature at work,” Brooks says. “Whether it’s free range, colony or barn, each has its positive aspects and each has its negative. “This footage obtained by SAFE shows birds not typical of the rest of the farm, and certainly not typical of the colony farming system. Colony farming maintains low disease rates, low mortality and higher hygiene standards than current cage farming, which is why the industry is well underway with the transition to this model.” The Federation has worked with the Ministry of Primary Industries to investigate SAFE’s claims, alleging the organisation broke into the farm to obtain footage. “The welfare of the birds is our first priority, so this footage is most definitely disturbing. Investigations have shown this is the negligence of one farm, in an isolated incident that shows poor practice around cage checking and clearing. “It does not reflect the standards of animal welfare prevalent across colony farming observed by the rest of the industry, nor across the rest of that particular farm’s colony cages.” Colonies are large enclosures that can house up to 60 hens, allowing them to engage in natural behaviours like perching, with nesting areas and scratching pads. They offer distinct welfare advantages over the caged farm system being phased out. www.foodtechnology.co.nz 7 ORGANIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE RISE PROMPTS WARNING Organic fruit and vegetable producers serving the New Zealand market are revelling in the news that demand for their food products has risen by 127 per cent in the space of four years…but there’s concern that a lack of government support could scupper further success. The latest just-released Organics Aotearoa ‘Organic Market Report’ for 2016 shows good growth in the organics market, particularly in supermarkets where shoppers are thinking more about what they put in their shopping trollies. HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman says organic food producers should be extremely pleased with the growth figures, along with the country as a whole. Horticulture products have always been key to growth in the New Zealand organics sector, which ranges from food and beverages, to grocery and healthcare products. But he says government help is urgently required to assist with regulating labelling of products as organic and also their country of origin. “Regardless of the strength in the domestic organics market, it is still totally unacceptable for Kiwi shoppers to have to try and figure out what ‘organic’ actually means,” Chapman says. Fresh fruit and vegetables account for more than 45 per cent of total organic exports, and Chapman says what the industry needs now is government help to succeed further. The report shows the organic sector in New Zealand has grown by more than 11 per cent since 2012, fuelled by consumer demand and following a worldwide trend, Organics Aotearoa NZ chief executive Brendon Hoare says. “Organic fresh fruit, wine, dairy, processing and domestic retail sectors are thriving in this country, and each is backed by a solid export sector that is diversifying into new markets, particularly Asia,” Hoare says. However, organic fresh vegetable and red meat production is languishing, and Hoare says these issues are being addressed with the help of other bodies including HortNZ and Beef+Lamb New Zealand.” NEWS SNIPS LEVI DALTON, a top US-based podcaster, is the latest keynote speaker secured for Pinot Noir 2017. Dalton, who speaks weekly to guests from his New York living room about wine, life and work, engages tens of thousands of listeners across the world. The event is in January/ February in Wellington. ZESPRI has upgraded its full-year profit guidance after deciding not to retain an accounting provision related to a Chinese subsidiary that was found guilty of smuggling in 2013. The Tauranga-based kiwifruit marketer says profit for the year to March 31 is in the range of $32m to $35m, up from previous forecasts. TWO THIRDS of the top 50 food and beverage companies in New Zealand are based in Auckland, the country’s main manufacturing and distribution hub. The industry in Auckland contributes around $3 billion a year to the local economy. N E W S
FT-Apr16-vol51-3
To see the actual publication please follow the link above