Animal Voice May 2008 Page 3 88.67 Kb 

A new initiative to alert poor people to their Consumer Rights is taking off in South Africa’s informal settlements.

This follows a decade of lobbying by Compassion in World Farming (SA) and its supporters for the humane treatment of animals sold live to poor people in informal settlements.

“When it comes to Consumer Rights, we tend to have double standards, one for the so-called first economy citizens and one for the second economy citizens”, explained a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture (Veterinary Services).

“Humanely produced, healthy and hygienic meat is being reserved for those who can afford it, while sick and ill-treated animals are often deemed good enough for the less privileged members of our communities. However, they have rights just like everyone else,” he said.

The launch of the meat safety awareness programme by the Department of Agriculture is aimed at curbing informal slaughtering and inhumane handling of livestock and at educating people about hygienic practices when handling meat and meat products. “We want traceability from farm to fork,” the spokesperson added. “Many farmers think that they can dump diseased
animals that could be rejected by abattoirs, at informal settlements. These informal settlements, in turn, do not have slaughter facilities.

“Changing mindsets is what the programme is all about. We intend informing and showing people that being poor does not deprive them of their right to demand humanely-treated, healthy animals.”

Consumers at risk!

Broiler chickens and end-of-lay hens sold live to poor consumers in informal settlements are often infested with dangerous bacteria that can cause disease in humans.

Compassion in World Farming (South Africa) took some of these chickens, freshly slaughtered, to the Department of Food Microbiology at the University of the Western Cape. According to the subsequent UWC report, several strains of bacteria were found on all the chickens – namely, salmonella, and Enterobacteriaceae. Of concern was the fact that both strains of bacteria
displayed 100% resistance to the antibiotics Oxacillin, Van-comycin and Methicillin. Be-cause antibiotics are used in animal feed – including chicken feed, the bacteria have built up a resistance to antibiotics. Thus, potentially life-saving antibiotics are in danger of losing their effectiveness for humans:

Is Dump Food the new Junk Food?

Mr Thabani Mangcu, Compassion in World Farming(SA)’s Khayelitsha representative has applauded the initiative taken by the Department of Agriculture to alert poor consumers to their Consumer Rights.

“We believe poor communities are being ripped off by being dumping grounds for used and sick animals. This is the new “junk food” and that is why people are becoming ill,” Mr Mangcu said. “Even poor people want good healthy food from strong animals that have had good lives.”

Mr Mangcu added that large packets of frozen pork livers and frozen tripe were sold to the poor. “We don’t know where it all comes from. It is frozen in bulk. It is tasteless. If it is not good enough for some people, why would it be good enough for anyone? Once again, the poor are a convenient dumping ground,” he said.

 Mr Mangcu said he would like to see a return to the days when meat inspectors had to put their stamp of approval on meat products. “As things stand today we have meat at every street corner, bringing flies and disease to our people.”