Wednesday 20 February 2013
Everytime you go to the supermarket or bottle shop you can make a stand against the annual Antarctic whale slaughter
Wednesday 6 February 2013
Yamba versus McDonalds revisited
Click on image to enlarge text
Saturday 22 September 2012
Foodie Quote of the Week
{Jenna Cairney, Editor The Daily Examiner, on the subject of the Clarence Valley, 17th September 2012}
Monday 17 September 2012
Tuesday 24 July 2012
Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association et al. v Monsanto: the fight continues
Sunday 8 July 2012
Be very wary of Brumby's Bakeries
According to media reports Brumby’s franchises have all received a head office memo suggesting that Consumer Price Index related price rises be implemented in June-July 2012 and that stores should; Let the carbon tax take the blame.
Having been outed so publicly, the head of the Retail Food Group, Brumby's parent company, Tony Alford issued his own statement to the the stock exchange saying the comments ‘‘were not sanctioned and are of significant concern to the board’’.
The company also ordered its stores to remove Liberal Party posters and placards about the carbon tax, warning them they could face fines of up to $1.1 million if they engage in false or misleading conduct.
Brumby's prices are due to rise on 16 July and I suggest that Northern Rivers shoppers pay special attention to the amount of that rise.
Thursday 7 June 2012
Let's hear it for the chickens! Greens urge Stoner to show leadership for free-range egg farmers
Media Alert: 5 June 2012 Greens NSW MP John Kaye will be joining local community members in Bellingen this Saturday to urge local member and Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner to stop the large industrial producers exploiting the label "free-range." John will be distributing action kits designed to help community members outraged by the misuse of free-range label to lobby Mr Stoner to assert some leadership within the O'Farrell government to safeguard the future of genuine free-range egg farmers. With the Egg Corporation pushing ahead with their plans to increase the free-range stocking density from 1,500 to 20,000 birds per hectare, the only way to ensure "free-range" means free-range is through legislation. When: Saturday, 9 June 2012, 9am Where: Bellingen Growers Markets, The Bellingen Showground Corner of Hammond and Black Streets Who: Greens NSW MP John Kaye For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 Photograph from Free Range Eggs
Wednesday 2 May 2012
Maccas not winning hearts, minds or money in 2012
One could speculate that its ongoing heavy-handed site development tactics in the face of community opposition contribute to the sales down-turn it is experiencing.
However, customer dissatisfaction, as well as health and safety issues, also may play their part in this marked decline.
A McDonald's social media promotional campaign at the beginning of the year was pulled after two hours and Twitter 'sanitised' because the company's hashtag #McDStoriese produced tweets like these. While its televised advertorial in the same month fell flat.
Again in January, Perth Now reported that McDonalds was being fined for more convictions concerning food quality and preparation. In NSW the company was fined in August 2011 for Fail to maintain the food premises to the required standard of cleanliness - accumulation of rubbish, food debris, grease and dirt on floor and in March 2012 for Fail to maintain the food premises to the required standard of cleanliness - accumulation of dirt, grease and food waste, previous warnings given at two of the fast food outlets it manages itself.
ABC News on 11 January 2012 also indicated that customers were being systematically defrauded by staff:
It is alleged Navaneeth Ponnabalam was one of many people who took part in the scheme, which involved swapping EFTPOS pin pads at McDonald's stores with ones that could record the bank details of customers.
The court was told customers who used the drive-through had details of their accounts copied by the machines and then money was withdrawn from their accounts interstate and overseas.
In 2012 McDonalds outlets continue to attract antisocial and criminal behaviour, such as stabbings, robbery, violent confrontation with police and assault.
Monday 26 March 2012
On the subject of unequal consumption
Thursday 15 March 2012
One in the eye for Monsanto & Co
The Australian 12 March 2010:
A SALT-RESISTANT wheat variety developed by an Australian team through old-fashioned cross-breeding rather than genetic modification is increasing crop yields by up to 25 per cent in salinity-prone areas, and could help counter food security concerns.
Researchers from Adelaide University's Waite Institute, the CSIRO and the NSW government first isolated the gene in an ancient relative of durum wheat -- used to make couscous and pasta flour -- 15 years ago.
The breakthrough was published in the international journal Nature Biotechnology overnight…..researchers had spent more than a decade using traditional cross-breeding techniques to blend the 10,000-year-old durum with its modern cousin to increase its salt resistance without genetic modification…..
Rana Munns, Richard A James & Bo Xu, Asmini Athman, Simon J Conn, Charlotte Jordans, Caitlin S Byrt, Ray A Hare, Stephen D Tyerman, Mark Tester, Darren Plett and Matthew Gilliham are to be congratulated for the research behind Wheat grain yield on saline soils is improved by an ancestral Na+ transporter gene in the March issue of Nature Biotechnology (R.M., R.A.J., R.A.H., M.T., D.P. and M.G. conceived the project and planned experiments. R.M. and M.G. supervised the research. B.X. performed all Xenopus, yeast and protoplast experiments and R.A.J. performed field research. C.S.B. performed wheat genotyping. S.D.T. assisted with electrophysiology experiments. S.J.C., A.A. and C.J. performed in situ PCR and qPCR. M.G., D.P., R.A.J. and R.M. wrote the manuscript. All authors commented on the manuscript).
Dr. Rana Munns is Chief Research Scientist at the C.S.I.R.O. and began her investigations many years ago - her profile is here.
The C.S.I.R.O. is reported to have conducted field trials of durum wheat varieties containing new salt tolerant genes in northern NSW in 2009-10.
This is science which seeks to improve cereal crops but does not risk contaminating wild grass populations with novel genetically modified organisms which never existed before in nature. It potentially does not have the same exploitative limitations imposed on farmers by biotech industry giants like Monsanto & Co.
As there are 12 types of groundwater flow systems contributing to dryland salinity across Australia, research into salt resistant food crops is also very relevant to national food security.
Commonwealth Intergovernmental Working Group for the UNCCD, April 2002
* This post is part of North Coast Voices' effort to keep Monsanto's blog monitor (affectionately known as Mr. Monsanto) in long-term employment.
Tuesday 13 March 2012
Things go better with Coke! Or do they?
For example, 'Coca-Cola' contains caramel colouring, which is a widely used food and beverage colouring found in many kinds of processed food and beverages including: brown bread, buns, and chocolate. Although made from sugar, the amount present is not physiologically significant and contributes only a trace amount of kilojoules to a can of 'Coca-Cola'."
And here's Coca Cola's global press centre denying there's any problem.
While over at US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health this is what you find on mice fed with 4-Methylimidazole (4MI) :
"Clonic seizures, excitability, hyperactivity, and impaired gait were observed primarily in 2,500- and 5,000 ppm females. The incidence of mononuclear cell leukemia in the 5,000 ppm females was significantly greater than that in the controls. The incidences of hepatic histiocytosis, chronic inflammation, and focal fatty change were significantly increased in all exposed groups of male and female rats. The incidences of hepatocellular eosinophilic and mixed cell foci were significantly increased in 2,500 ppm males and 5,000 ppm females. Groups of 50 male and 50 female B6C3F1 mice were fed diets containing 0-, 312-, 625-, or 1,250 ppm 4MI for 106 weeks. Based on the food consumption the calculated average daily doses were approximately 40, 80, or 170 mg 4MI/kg body weight to males and females. Survival of all exposed groups of males and females was similar to that of the control groups. Mean body weights of males and females in the 1,250 ppm groups and that in the 312- and 625 ppm females were less than those of the control groups. Feed consumption by exposed groups of male and female mice was similar to that by the controls. The incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar adenoma in all exposed groups of females, alveolar/bronchiolar carcinoma in 1,250 ppm males, and alveolar/bronchiolar adenoma or carcinoma (combined) in 1,250 ppm males and 625- and 1,250 ppm females were significantly greater than those in the control groups. The incidence of alveolar epithelial hyperplasia was significantly increased in the 1,250 ppm females. 4MI is carcinogenic inducing alveolar/bronchiolar adenoma and carcinoma in male and female mice. 4MI may also induce mononuclear cell leukemia in female rats."
Pic from Google Images
Saturday 11 February 2012
How quickly the story changes once animal cruelty is exposed *WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES & SOUNDS*
Since the animal cruelty allegations surfaced there have been professions of innocence or ignorance and, suggestions that what was shown on the video was rogue behaviour on the part of either individual abattoir workers or this one particular business
.
A number of local businessess are attempting to deny seeing or hearing anything, however one cannot exclude the possibility that it was common local knowledge that the abattoir was operating in an inapproriate manner.
This morning further allegations emerged in The Australian:
The Weekend Australian viewed a cache of documents dating back to the late 1990s, including correspondence with council and local MPs, detailing alleged ammonia leaks, poisoning and pieces of animal carcass carried by birds on to adjacent properties. Although one case went to court, no prosecution was recorded.
Neither the Federal Labor Government nor the NSW Coalition Government can spin this away and both should act on the matter. The Gillard Government by looking into the possibility of a national abattoir monitoring policy and, the O'Farrell Government by creating legislation which mandates CCTV on all abattoir killing floors and by vigorously prosecuting any wrongdoing.
According to information available on the Internet, HAWKESBURY VALLEY MEAT PROCESSORS PTY LTD, R W LANGLEY WHOLESALE MEAT PTY LTD and M & A BUTCHERY all share the same physical address at 62 King Road, Wilberforce, New South Wales.
The first two business appear to be connected with Ken and Glenn Langley and the third with Michael and Angela Diasinos along with their sons.
Whilst the family still run the butchery and own the abattoir, the abattoir itself is leased to another party. The meat in the shop though still comes from the abattoir which is only 200 metres away…. A typical day lasts from 6.00am to 6.00pm. The head butcher will set up in the morning whilst Dean goes to the abattoir and works out what to bring into the shop.
Friday 10 February 2012
It's time to ask Australian butchers and supermarkets where they are sourcing the meat you buy
As the NSW abattoir currently in the news for alleged animal cruelty apparently slaughters for domestic consumption only, here is a brief outline for ethical consumers.
The Sydney Morning Herald 10 February 2012:
A SYDNEY abattoir has stopped slaughtering and faces closure and prosecution after hidden-camera footage of chilling animal cruelty emerged.
The NSW Food Authority ordered the immediate halt yesterday to slaughter at the Hawkesbury Valley Meat Processors at Wilberforce, in Sydney's west, after seeing undercover footage apparently taken by a worker at the abattoir.
''This is one of the worst cases I've seen in an abattoir of animal cruelty,'' said Peter Day, a spokesman for the authority. The footage, recorded over six days at the end of last month, shows workers mistreating sheep, cattle, pigs and goats….
The Telegraph 10 February 2012:
It is believed Hawkesbury Valley Meat Processors provided the footage to authorities after becoming aware animal rights activists had provided it to a media outlet.
Department of Primary Industries NSW Food Authority 9 February 2012 media release Slaughtering at Sydney abattoir stopped:
Action by the NSW Food Authority today has led to the shut down of slaughtering at a Sydney abattoir. This follows the Authority examining disturbing video footage of acts of gross animal mistreatment.
The video shows the slaughter of sheep, cattle, goats and pigs that allegedly breaches the Food Regulation 2010 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.
Australian standards under the Food Regulation 2010 require that "animals are slaughtered in a way that prevents unnecessary injury, pain and suffering to them and causes them the least practical disturbance."
A full investigation of slaughter practices at the site is now underway, which involves the RSPCA.
Non compliance of food and animal welfare laws is taken extremely seriously.
The welfare of animals in NSW is protected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTA) 1979 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation which are overseen by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Under POCTA fines of up to $110,000 or two years imprisonment apply for acts of aggravated acts of cruelty to animals.
The NSW Food Authority regulates abattoirs in NSW.
All abattoirs operating in NSW are required to hold a licence and operate in accordance with the Food Regulation 2010. Abattoirs are required to comply with the NSW Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption.
https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/downloads/07-183
Extracted from ASIC's database at AEST 06:45:33 on 10/02/2012 |
Name | HAWKESBURY VALLEY MEAT PROCESSORS PTY LTD | |
ACN |
| |
ABN |
| |
Australian Proprietary Company, Limited By Shares | ||
Registration Date | 19/04/2006 | |
Next Review Date | 19/04/2012 | |
Registered | ||
Locality of Registered Office | Mona Vale NSW 2103 | |
Australian Securities & Investments Commission |
Directors of this company appear to include Glenn Langley and Ronald Winston Langley of R W Langley Wholesale Meat Pty Ltd
Thursday 12 January 2012
Label says "organic" and "non genetically modified"? Buyer beware!
Eat well indeed! I won’t get caught like that again.
Monday 2 January 2012
Queensland genetically modified bananas anyone?
Is Genetically modified becoming something of a dirty term with the Australian general public?
Putting two and two together it is obvious that the Queensland University of Technology tried very hard to avoid both the GMO acronym and again naming its funding source as the Grand Challenges in Global Health (GCGH) Initiative - which was launched as a health initiative by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is in turn is associated with Monsanto & Co through its shareholdings in that notorious biotech giant.
Monday 14 November 2011
The CSIRO today - sometimes the threat to Australian water and food security is found in unexpected places
Sunday 16 October 2011
It's World Food Day Today, 16 October 2011
It is World Food Day today and it’s no surprise to find that this event is supported by the multinational biotech industry and agricultural sectors which promote GMO crops.
To counteract this I suggest……………………...
Send an email of support to Millions Against Monsanto here.
Sign up for Mothers Against Monsanto weekly newsletter here and join the network here.
Contact your Federal MP and tell him or her that you demand a review of the Australian Government’s position on GMO labelling. Contact details here and here.
Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper stating how you feel about genetically modified crops and foods.
* This post is part of North Coast Voices' effort to keep Monsanto's blog monitor (affectionately known as Mr. Monsanto) in long-term employment.
Friday 14 October 2011
Biosecurity: a lesson begging to be learned
Sunday 18 September 2011
U.S. organic seed growers find friends in their fight against self-replicating GM technology
In the matter of ORGANIC SEED GROWERS AND TRADE ASSOCIATION, et al v MONSANTO COMPANY AND MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC; the summary from the amicus brief lodged by Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Ecological Famers of Ontario, Fair Food Matters, International Organic Inspectors Association, Michigan Land Trustees, Natural Environment Ecological Management, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Association, Organic Council of Ontario, Slow Food USA, and Virginia Independent Consumers and Farmers Association.