No imitations, thanks – we’re BritishMr Fitzpatrick, hosting a celebration of foods with Protected Food Name status at Downing Street, urged more producers to stand up for their food and more consumers to support local produce.
The event showcases UK foods which have Protected Food Name status – a scheme which highlights regional and traditional foods whose authenticity and origin can be guaranteed. Under the system a named food or drink registered at a European level will be given legal protection against imitation throughout the EU.
Speaking at the event, Mr Fitzpatrick said:
“We produce excellent food in this country, but we’re not always great about speaking up about it.
“Local produce that is traditionally made, unique and authentic attracts people from all over the world for its taste and its quality – it’s good for local businesses and local communities. And that’s something that deserves protection.
“Through this scheme, we have a way to stand up for local producers and protect their products. So I’m calling on more British producers to get their food protected and for their communities to get behind them. It’s not something that can be done overnight, but it’s worth it, in terms of the protection it gives the producer and the opportunities it creates for their renowned products.
“Ultimately, I want to us to be up alongside France and Italy who among them boast more than 300 protected foods – our food is just as good, if not better, as any other European country’s. I want to see the UK’s regional foods on the world map.
“The EU Protected Food Name Scheme means farmers, producers and shoppers all know that the special foods we’re buying are authentic. And it protects all these small businesses that help keep our rural areas alive.”
There are 38 products currently registered in the UK, including Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese and Whitstable Oysters which serve as major tourism draw cards for their home regions.
In addition, we have submitted 15 applications for protection to the European Commission.
For more information on the EU Protected Food Name Scheme visit: www.defra.gov.uk/foodrin/industry/regional/foodname/products/
(As reported by the Defra website)
Defra receives key report on the future of farm animal veterinary servicesThe report was commissioned by Defra on behalf of a Government/Industry Steering Group which has been considering whether there is a shortage of farm animal veterinarians in Great Britain.
The report concluded that there was no such shortage nor a lack of interest in veterinary graduates pursuing a career in farm animal veterinary work. The report identified the potential for veterinarians to increase their role as providers of expert advice to the farming and food industries.
Responding to the report, Alick Simmons, Defra’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer and Chairman of the Steering Group, said, “I thank Professor Lowe for his work on this report. It provides important new insights into the role of the farm animal veterinarian and I encourage all interested parties to carefully consider the report’s conclusions and how these might be taken forward.”
The report recognises that in terms of the number of animals they look after and the public significance of their work, no group of veterinarians is more important than those involved in farming and food production.
A recurring theme in the report is the need to better align farm animal veterinary services to meet the changing needs of the livestock industries. Professor Lowe recommends the creation of a Veterinary Development Council as an appropriate forum for bring the suppliers and customers of farm animals veterinary services together.
Defra will now carefully consider Professor Lowe’s report and is due to meet with other Steering Group members in November.
For more details see our website: http://www.defra.gov.uk
(As reported by the Defra website)
Organic is better for the animals - and for you, tooCompassion in World Farming strongly supports organic as the best form of humane and sustainable agriculture. For us, organic means first and foremost high animal welfare standards. For chickens, laying hens, pigs and cows it means a better and longer life, mainly with outdoor access, a balanced diet and freedom from stress.
Organic chickens, for example, are usually of slower growing, more natural breeds. Their life is usually almost twice as long as the one of an intensively reared bird.
Pigs reared in organic systems are weaned much later than standard ones, at 40 days rather than 28. The Soil Association advises its farmers not to wean until they are eight weeks old.
Calves born on organic farms are not exported to the continent, have a natural milk diet and outdoor access.
Organic is not only good for animals, but for people and the planet, too.
Conventional food production makes wide use of pesticides, which can pollute water and the environment, as well as pose a threat to human health. Organic food, instead, is produced with natural fertilisers, less energy and more respect for animals that provide it.
As far as nutrition is concerned, research shows that organic chickens can contain 25% less fat than intensively reared chickens (standard chicken). Scientists say that free-range chickens offer a more beneficial fatty acid composition compared to indoor raised chickens. This is they because free-range and organic birds grow more slowly, are likely to eat grass and exercise more.
Finally, intensive animal husbandry relies on a greater use of antibiotics to treat stressed, disease-prone animals. Resistance to antibiotics is a well-known consequence of such misuse. The spread of the MRSA super bug is probably the most eloquent example.
John Callaghan, Director of Programmes at Compassion in World Farming, explains: “MRSA is yet another potential example of how harmful factory farming is for animals and people. Pigs reared intensively often live in stressful conditions, subject to painful mutilations, unable to express their natural behaviour and prone to diseases. Factory farms where animals are unnaturally crowded and stressed, even with careful management, are always likely to need drugs to keep infections at bay. We should eat less, but better meat- coming from animals that have lived a happy and healthy life”.
For more details see our website:
http://www.ciwf.org.uk
(As reported by the Compassion in World Farming website)
Radio Opportunity for Scottish SmallholdersBBC Radio Scotland is looking for the new generation of people who have turned their back on the fast-paced life of the city to live the good life as a smallholder, or a greenshifter!
Have you been prompted by the credit crunch to swap the office for the garden?
BBC Radio Scotland is looking for families, couples or individuals who are either Scottish or have moved to Scotland to follow their dream in the last two years.
To pursue this please call Rebecca Smith on 01463 702728, or email rebecca.smith4@bbc.co.uk
Come and See Us at the Royal Welsh Smallholder Festival this weekend!The Smallholder Range will be attending the Royal Welsh Smallholder & Garden Festival this weekend, at Builth Wells, Powys. With plenty to do for all the family, the show is a real celebration of everything smallholder and is a great opportunity to learn about new breeds, gather information or just have a fun day out.
The Smallholder Range will be on hand to provide information on all of their feeds and answer any feeding queries you may have. This year we have also linked up with the RWAS to provide a servce to those coming to the show to learn more about poultry. Poultry Care Corner will be part of the Smallholder Range stand and will have experts on hand to answer any queries you may have about any aspect of getting started with poultry or waterfowl, and you will also be able to collect your FREE care pack to take home with you.
Have you heard of our new range specifically for Ex-Battery Hens? Come and visit our stand this weekend to find out more!
Royal Welsh Smallholder & Garden Festival, Builth Wells, Powys 16-17th May 2009
http://www.rwas.co.uk/en/garden-festival/