DDiL cooked us a lovely roast dinner whilst we were visiting. The conversation turned to organic, and/or free range food. She is trying to feed DGD and them as well as possible.
I like organic and free range meat, but it is costly and because of that, I haven’t often used it. However, I was very shocked to read an article on how misleading supermarket meat products are. I thought I was buying better welfare but obviously not! Are they not breaking the trades description act?
Feeding Ruby, I certainly can’t afford to use that type of meat. Feeding us, I probably can and am going to try. We have a local butcher who we frequented often, don’t know why I stopped. We also have two more a short drive away. Also I am friends with a butcher - doh! Just goes to show how supermarket convenience gets in the way of sense sometimes.
I had assumed quite wrongly that ducks and turkeys would be treated differently to the poor old chicken, but no, they aren’t. It’s not just here but lots of countries in the world who cram animals into places, de-beaking them and denying them the pleasures they should receive. Some in parts of Europe treat their animals far, far worse.
I may be late to this particular party but am going to try. Don’t get me started on pigs. I do seek out better pork where possible.
See the article here. It takes a while to load being a newspaper article with its own associated articles and adverts.
As I work with farmers, I have visited farms and seen and heard it all. For some reason they (farmers) want to show and tell me all about everything, their crumbling marriages, their financial doom, their need to give decent food to people... I have faith in most farmers, even if it is because of money; they want to treat their animals well in order to get better price. But of course, I've met only local farmers here (about 200km circle) and I really don't know what happens in Poland or Germany or even Danmark (but I can guess and it's not as pretty). I can't eat poltry at all anymore (allergy? intolerance?) so I wouldn't have worry about that so much anyway (egg production is another sector but that's been even more reassuring for me, more and more farmers a changing towards organic farming because that's what people want).
ReplyDeleteThey say knowledge is power, but sometimes to me knowledge is pain. I eat less and less of meat, imported fruits etc... trying to keep it local or at least European.
The egg situation in the UK seems to be better as long as the codes are truthful. I am sure lots of farmers are doing well and doing the right thing. We just don’t need supermarkets trying to pull the wool over our eyes. How lucky you are to access so many mushrooms.
DeleteI watched a programme by Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall sometime again highlighting the plight of some animals and the codes. It made for a very interesting watch.
ReplyDeleteYes, I watched that as well. Initially I thought it’s alright for you, you can afford it. Now however, we will eat less but better quality.
DeleteI saw that and since then I have tried to buy only 'happy chicken'. It was one of those life changing moments.
DeleteI don't have turkey much but when I do I get it from Kelly's as I'm lucky to like near Danbury where they are based. Yes, it costs a fortune but they are also happy birds and that's priceless.
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I have been eating less meat over the yeas but I agree it's really important to find out where it comes from.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have also cut down over the years.
DeleteThese issues are what swayed my vote in the Brexit referendum. It was purely based on the promise of the UK being able to champion animal welfare, especially with the live export of animals. Sometimes the "red tractor" isn't what it seems.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the red tractor and the undue pressure put on inspectors.
DeleteSadly it won't change as long as people want the cheapest meat (and eggs)
ReplyDeleteVery true. Also the fast food outlets need to source better.
DeleteHere I laugh a ot (when I'm not outraged) at how gullible people can be. I see people buying meat that screams "Corn Fed" and somehow they think this is a good thing. What they are looking for is "grass fed" which is very expensive but a far better quality. Now, the advertising is correct - it's the people who haven't done their due diligence.
ReplyDeleteI also laugh at the "Gluten Free" wording on so many products that have never contained gluten - and never will. But again, the public needs to educate themselves and then make their own decision.
In some cases certain things have gone overboard.
DeletePerhaps this will help you understand how after moving to the country from the town and learning all about our meat, dairy and egg production in this country first hand I can no longer bring myself to eat any of it. ALL chicken sold in the supermarkets as meat is reared virtually the same way, true some birds have 'slightly' better living conditions but they are all bred to grow so fast their bones and internal organs can't and don't support their sad little lives in comfort. They are killed at weeks old instead of the years of life they should have.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't get me started on the dairy and egg industry, there so much more death and cruelty in that, I find it sickening :-(
Sorry ... I'll go away now!!
I think about 7 weeks or something like that. Haven’t had any time to grow any flavour, cobbs I think. I don’t have room for chickens but might have reared proper meat birds if I had. I could live without chicken at a push but will aim to seek out local meat where I can see it actually living and growing and know the farmers. Thanks for your first hand input!
DeleteOne of the reasons we farm is to raise and eat our own so that we know they have had good lives; more people ought to approach their local farmers to buy direct.
ReplyDeleteThat must be lovely to do that.
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