John Bourke, President of the VFF Pig Group, said that the protest was designed to put the spotlight on the hypocrisy of Coles against Aussie pork producers.

The new Coles policy only applies to fresh pork which is supplied by Aussie farmers. The policy does not apply to overseas pig producers who provide Australia with 70 per cent of its processed pork, such as bacon and ham.

The industry is calling on Coles to apply their gestation stall free policy to all pork, whether it is fresh or processed, locally produced or imported.

“This policy has the potential to decimate the Australian pig industry because it favours overseas producers at the expense of Aussie pork farmers,“ said Andrew Spencer, CEO of Australian Pork Limited (APL).

The policy will make it easier and cheaper for overseas producers to sell their pork in Australia meaning Aussie pork producers will be at a competitive disadvantage.

“Australian consumers are smart people, we all know when a company tries a bit of ‘green-wash’, well this looks a lot like a bit of ‘pink-wash,“ Mr Spencer said.

“If this was really about pig welfare Coles would demand the same supply standards from ALL its pork supplies whether they are in Bendigo, Victoria or Des Moines, Iowa. The same rules MUST apply!“

Mr Spencer said the Coles con was a classic case of the corporate giant trying to pick on the little guy.

“Aussie pork producers won’t stand for it. We’ll keep the pressure on Coles until it applies this policy to everyone.“ Mr Spencer said.

Further Reading

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