Free Range pigs must be free to range

Factory farming trades on consumer ignorance. A legal definition for free range will

What Does Free Range Mean to You?

Free Range?  What does it mean to

you?

Do you buy free range meat or eggs?

Did you know that the term ‘free

range’ is not legally defined?

Did you know that pork producers are

free to label their product as free

range even though their pigs are kept

indoors?

The meaning of the term free range

is generally understood but it is

poorly defined.  We need to prove

that there is confusion in the market

place and that consumers and not

getting what they pay for in some

cases when they purchase a product

labelled as free range pork

Please fill out the survey.

Help us define the standard

The natural way for a pig to live is outdoors – with

grass under its feet, and the sun on its back.

Outdoors access is fundamental to the free range

system of pig production. The pigs are still

commercially produced, farmed in large numbers and

destined for the oven, but they have more space, and

lead more natural, longer lives.

And even when they choose to be inside, they have

more space, and an enriched environment. Pigs are

sociable, curious creatures. They like to roam, truffle,

play and they love to rest under a shady tree when its

hot. They have a strong bond with their herd and will

protect not only their own young, but all piglets in

their group.

Free range pork does cost more to produce; so it will

cost you a little more.

You are in control of how pigs are farmed simply by

the decisions you make when you purchase pork. You

have the right to choose not to support factory

farming, but without proper labelling laws how will

you know for sure?

In 1960 there were 49,537 pork producers in

Australia, the majority of them would have been free

range. By 2004 there was only 1,999 producers but

sow numbers had increased by over 50% and 95%

are raised in intensive sheds.

Why did things change?  Why cant we put the pigs

back outside?