Jamie Oliver, whether you like him or hate him, did a great programme filmed in the U.K about the poultry industry, using various ways to expose and explain to consumers every detail of the industry. Everything, from when the chicks are born to when (and how) they are killed to all the kinds of products that contain egg and how these eggs are produced. A basic overview of the show from the uk channel 4 website:
"With the help of poultry farmers and experts including Bill Oddie and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Jamie has brought together consumers, producers and retailers to discuss how chickens and eggs are produced and consumed in this country and whether things need to change."
I was in tears throughout most of the show, I mean, you have to be blind to not see the difference in a free range hen and a battery hen. It's just so frustrating being on a tight budget and forgetting that the less you pay, the worse the life for the animal.
He presented it fairly, and gave farmers a chance to speak and supermarkets and other companies to defend themselves. I found it interesting to see him visit a battery facility and a factory farm and see the farmers point of view. Basically, the farmers wants to take care of their stock the best they can as it basically produces a better quality of stock. It's hard for them as the consumer demand the cheapest product, which results in the battery caged hen usually.
It's a tough subject, but I think a lot of people do care about this, and i'm so glad channel 10 decided to air this programme, although it did have to compete with Bert Newton on This Is Your Life. The situation has improving with options of purchusing slightly more expensive eggs that are RSPCA approved. The chickens are in an enclosed barn with fresh air and sunlight, room to move and nests. They even have toys and scratching posts for stimulation.
Here's some stuff Jamie had to say:
What do you hope to achieve?
"In terms of what I hope to achieve, I think if even a small percentage of people watching were informed and decided to shop differently as a result, then that would make a real difference. Some of the people in the audience at the filming were shocked enough to want to change their shopping habits so I'm hoping some of the viewers at home will be affected in the same way. We should all be thinking why something is so cheap, rather than why others seem so expensive."
Will you be 'naming and shaming' farmers and retailers?
"I'm not naming and shaming any farmers because I'm a big supporter of all British farmers and, to me, they are caught between a rock and a hard place. In a way, this has been the hardest show I’ve ever made - what we've tried to do is make a straightforward programme about difficult issues in a balanced and fair way, and after broadcast I want to be able to sleep at night."
What do you think consumers can do to make a difference, what chicken and eggs should they buy?
"Basically, buy the highest welfare bird and eggs that you can afford. If you're used to buying standard battery eggs, try to pay an extra 5p per egg to barn eggs (which are much better welfare). If you're used to buying a non-free range chicken, pay an extra £1 or so for an animal with better living conditions, like natural light and stuff to do. It's morally better for the animal and it's morally better for the producers, because I haven't met a farmer yet who wouldn't love to move up to a better welfare situation for their animals."
I was so pleased to see a programme that was slightly confronting about animal cruelty. This is a situation where consumers do have several differently priced options. Although it does become hard when you find that egg products are in EVERYTHING and you cant choose where they get their egg product from. So bascially, choose wisely and read the labels. Try your best to choose the most humane product possible.
6 comments:
I didnt see it, but being Oliver it will be on disc soon. Whats the balance. At work we have 'egg wars' with have the staff wanting free range but we are a charity and count every cent so half dont care. I must admit I blindly buy eggs and chicken with little thought but Im not stupid enough to not realise that cheap at the check out comes at a cost. In a way I was spoilt as my mother had a farm.
Children no longer relate what they eat to an animal. The raising and killing of livestock is not a part of their everyday life. My brother has been a vegetarian since his teens as he saw mum kill, pluck and dress ducks (his ducks unfortunately)my cousins also are vegatarians for humanitarian reasons.
I'll try and get this on dvd. Thanks for the heads up Vic
Hi, great blog and post.
I have, along with many others rehomed battery hens due for slaughter. The poor condition that they are in when you receive your hens is shocking and cruel, but what most people like me find equally as shocking is that fact that these hens have been denied to display / carry out their natural instincts which are deep rooted.
Within hours of freedom (sometimes sooner) they are scratching the ground and dustbathing etc. I urge anyone reading the authors post to buy free range, the less consumer demand the better.
I think the best way this program worked was to dispell any myths the veiwer may of conjured in their head, of battery hen farmers being evil money grubbing cartoon vilins whose only concern is their profit.
Ive always assumed this was the main problem and thought it wasnt going to go away until these guys got shut down.
Jaimie delved further into the issue though and showed the main problem was these farmers were simply trying to keep up with consumer demand, and in the end were not recieving very much money for their product.
so yeah the blame was quickly shifted form the farmer to the consumer. In that sense the show was empowering for the average consumer who probably felt they couldnt do anything. Id say pretty much anyone who seen the program will now confidently use their consumer choice to make some kind of differance...
Thanks for your post Ab, sef told me about your brother being a "hardcore vego" haha. You should try and watch it one day, it is interesting to see it presented fairly.
Thanks for your comment little veg! I'm glad you enjoy my post/blog. its so wonderful to hear about rescue stories for those poor hens, and it must feel great knowing you have improved their lives. Good on you for doing so. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading your blog as well!
Joseph - Loved your response. Totally what I thought at first! I thought it was the farmers fault, thats why im thankful for the show as it makes me realise how important it is for consumers to choose free range.
I was involved in the early stages of the eradication program of "Newcastle Disease" at Mangrove Mountain a few years ago. It was not something for the weak of stomach to go through and considering that most involved at that stage were not doing it for self gain (moneys earned were paid to the members local RFS Brigade), it was a great commitment by a lot of people.
One thing that did strike me, throughout all of the negativities that were involved in disposing of ALL of the birds in the area was that (with the exception of 1 property) the poultry was raised in a manner that was as good as they could achieve, given the commercial restraints imposed (ie they were fed, watered, housed in an acceptable manner - and the quarantine restrictions in place made this very difficult at times) I realise that freerange (organic) poultry or other livestock might be the ideal, but in a lot of cases, it is just not a viable option
Hi Victoria,
I'm new to your blog. Came over from Little Veg Patch.
Great post. I agree with you that it's a tough subject and that a lot of people do care about this. It is very tough especially when you are on a tight budget.
I quickly read some of your previous posts and saw one about puppy mill. I get so mad everytime I hear about puppymill on the news. I'm an animal lover especially dogs lover myself.
Great blog. I will be sure to come back often. Do stop by my blog if you get a chance.
Have a nice day.
YD
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