It's always positive to show products that are Australian produced but APL is missing the point. In the case of meat products, and pork in particular, it would also be highly advantageous to carry, identify and market a range of truly 'free range' pork products on supermarket shelves. GROWING numbers of Australian consumers will simply not buy battery raised pork anymore and unless products are marked 'free range' or 'organic' all pork products will suffer. APL and Mr Spencer need to keep pace with changing consumer attitudes and preferences before the pork industry is driven out of Australia completely. Change your farming practices, change your labelling to reflect those practices - and secure the future for Aussie-raised pork.

In response to Joe's comment regarding consumers growing desire to not want "battery" raised pork. Firstly I would like to point out that APL does not differentiate and favour any one sytem of production over another. The market place determines that fact. There are many and varied ways in which pork can be produced in this country and there are environmental, ethical and cost of production factors that have to be taken into consideration in waying up, as a producer, what system is suitable. At the end of the day consumers dictate what is required and what is not. Australian pig farmers do listen to what consumers are saying and the change in industry practices reflect that. The irony of Joe refering to driving out pork producers in Australia who do not produce free range or organic pork would only see pork supply sourced from overseas countries with inferior animal health and welfare standards. That is certainly not in the interest of Australian consumers.

Joe, I couldn't have said it better myself. When will we realise what it takes to get these poor pigs from the farm to the fork. Start 'free range' and we will all buy Australian Pork. This is the very reason I visit Hagens meats but still cannot bring myself to buy pork after investigating what these poor, poor animals go through. Again... well said Joe! Ree

Emily - that's precisely my point. The APL doesn't differentiate (and label) one production system compared to another. And it should. In fact, it's long, long overdue and has considerable catching up to do. Consumers today expect (no, demand) to know where their food comes from and how it's produced. Chicken producers do it. Pork producers generally and their industry association need to get onboard and lift their game. Give consumers the choices they want in Aussie produced products. Consumers are speaking to you....listen. And stop justifying archaic, low cost, inhumane forms of meat production.

Consumers have enough to consider when they buy from the supermarket. They should not have to consider the ethics of what they buy as well, or know how the animals are raised. All foods should be naturally produced and "organic". The industry itself should not be able to set the conditions. No animals should be kept in crowded sheds or in cages their entire lives. The cruelty is conveniently hidden from the public.

What i am struggling with is why we are pushing for free range pork, which is actually not better for the animals health in Australia as they get sunburnt etc, if you would like to slap sunscreen all over 5000 pigs each day, your more than welcome, come out to my farm and we can go free range now. but at the same time consumer preference for feeldot cattle and sheep is going up which is not different to the intensive systems of pig production. sort your crap out people