November 2 , 2005

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN WIN FOR PORK


WAPPA President, Graeme Dent.

Labelling unpackaged pork and pork products with country of origin offers  consumers a real choice for the first time, while offering producers a real opportunity to prove once and for all that locally produced pork is superior and preferred.

According to WA Pork Producers' Association (WAPPA) President, Graeme Dent of Cuballing, delicatessen cabinets will now offer shoppers a choice to buy local or not.

Read the Release 39Kb

October 13 , 2005

2005 WATSONIA GROWERS OF THE YEAR


Watsonia 2005 Contract Grower of the Year award winners David Chown of Serpentine, Elaine and Colin Benson of Mingenew, David Ives of Geraldton, with Watsons Livestock Manager Joe Ascenso (left) and Operations Manager Joe Coelho (right).

David Chown of Serpentine is the 2005 Watsonia Contract Grower of the Year in the category of more than 4000 baconer pigs supplied per annum to Watsons Foods (WA).

Mr Chown has been in pig production for many years, however this is the first time he has won the prestigious award.

Watsons Livestock Manager, Joe Ascenso said 62 per cent of the baconers Mr Chown supplied met the company's peak weight and grade schedule.

Mr Chown operates Tralka Pty Ltd, which supplies Watsons with about 350 pigs per week, with approximately 60 per cent of his females being exported fresh to Singapore.

Read the Release 27Kb

September 2 , 2005

COOLE CHANGE AT WAPPA AS DENT MAKES MARK


WAPPA Executive Officer Russell Cox at WAPPA's industry dinner with Anne Graham (left) of Pinjarra and Gay Keene of Gingin.

Cuballing producer Graeme Dent is the new WA Pork Producers' Association (WAPPA) President, replacing Stuart Coole of Boyup Brook, who stood down at the recent annual general meeting after two years at the helm.

He remains on Executive, with Vice-President Richard Evison of Albany , Treasurer Errol Howard of Wannamal and newly elected Darren Edwards of Popanyinning.

Presenting his President's report to about 25 producers and others at Pastoral House, Mr Coole said WAPPA's newly elected Executive for 2005/06 will be charged with the very serious responsibility of reviewing the Association as it moves forward.

Read the Release 44Kb

August 25 , 2005

WA PORK PRODUCERS HAVING A 'CRACK'

As the state which first ‘cracked’ the Singaporean fresh pork market, which now accounts for 90 per cent of WA’s pigmeat exports and, along with Japan, 73 per cent of Australia’s exports, WA continues to promote the quality of its export product.

Responding to the Productivity Commission report into the competitiveness of Australia’s pork industry, WA Pork Producers’ Association (WAPPA) President and Boyup Brook producer, Stuart Coole said most of WA’s 300 or so committed producers were professional, resourceful, innovative and world class.

“The Commission found that our overseas producer peers, particularly in Denmark, United States and Canada are not substantially subsidised, but we would argue that a simple desk audit by the Commission could not reach a meaningful conclusion,” he said.

“Despite this, we will get on with the job, along with our equally world class processors, export agents and other stakeholders, to put quality, WA-grown pork into overseas markets where it has a reputation second to none.

Read the Release 22Kb

June 3, 2005

COURT DECISION BACKS WA PORK PRODUCERS’ POSITION

WA’s 360 pork producers have applauded a landmark Federal Court finding which recommends greater caution concerning the importation of pigmeat which may carry an unacceptable risk of exotic disease.

Justice Murray Wilcox vindicated the consistent position of the WA Pork Producers’ Association (WAPPA), that current importation protocols should not be weakened.

Last year WAPPA first voiced concern to the Federal Government about inadequate quarantine practices.

WAPPA has maintained that without a clear understanding of the factors associated with causative elements and the spread of Post Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS), control measures would be difficult to implement.

The Biosecurity Australia (BA) decision, based on its Import Risk Analysis (IRA) for imported pigmeat, was found by Justice Wilcox to be “so unreasonable that no reasonable person could have made it”.

Boyup Brook producer and WAPPA President, Stuart Coole said the landmark decision vindicated pork producers in their relentless fight to keep their industry free of exotic diseases such as PMWS.

Read the Release 38Kb

April 5, 2005

APC Funding Applications

WAPPA encourages producers and others to apply to the Agricultural Produce Commission (APC) for funding of projects which will benefit WA’s pork industry.

Those considering making submissions are reminded that Fee-For-Service funding applications close on April 22.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate achievable outcomes and be prepared to provide regular progress/milestone reports if their funding application is successful.

Always, applicants must be mindful that their projects must benefit pork producers.

WA’s pork production sector has an annual farm-gate value of more than $100 million and is responsible for directly and indirectly employing 3000 people.

It is increasingly export-driven and very particular about quality assurance.

Fee-For-Service Funding Document

Funding Proposal Application

March 30, 2005

PORK PRODUCERS NOW ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS

Pictured at Pastoral House during the meeting to discuss piggery environmental management issues were (L to R) seated Toni Cowell Environmental Manager, Regulation Branch, Department of Environment, Dr Jeya Jeyasingham Manager, Environmental Sustainability Australian Pork Limited, Hugh Payne Senior Technical Officer, Department of Agriculture, standing Philip Hine Manager Environmental Regulation Branch, Department of Environment, Craig Olejnik Natural Resource Management Officer, Department of Environment.

As significant ratepayers and employers in more than 60 shires across 300,000 square kilometres of WA’s agricultural zone, responsible pork producers are keen to minimise negative impacts on local environments and maximise positive impacts on the economies of their local communities.

While recognising their industry, with a farm-gate value of more than $100 million and responsible for employing 3000 people, generates waste and odour, as do all intensive livestock production sectors, they are firmly committed to a new set of National Environmental Guidelines for Piggeries.

Developed by Australian Pork Limited (APL), after extensive consultation with industry and government, the guidelines have been embraced by the WA Pork Producers’ Association (WAPPA), which represents WA’s 360 producers.

WAPPA Executive Officer, Russell Cox, who recently convened a meeting in Perth with representatives of APL and the Departments of Agriculture and Environment, said existing and prospective producers were keen to work co-operatively with authorities to ensure they could enjoy security of tenure without unfair pressure.

Read the Release 39Kb

January 26, 2005

PATRIOTIC AUSSIES BRANDED 'PORK CHOPS'

Australia Day it is, but those supposedly patriotic Aussies throwing lamb chops on the barbie today have been branded ‘pork chops’ by WA Pork Producers’ Association (WAPPA) President Stuart Coole of Boyup Brook.

“Why eat lamb, when succulent, low-fat pork chops and tender pork roasts are readily available and usually at cheaper prices than lamb?

“Buying fresh pork is the most Australian thing a dedicated meat eater can do on Australia Day, because all fresh pork is Australian grown,” he said.

“The pork industry is so patriotic that it recently initiated and helped launch a massive national campaign for an Australian HomeGrown food label, which has now been picked up by more than 50 other agricultural industries.

“This will help consumers identify country of origin at point of sale, especially important when buying processed pork products or smallgoods, which comprise 60 per cent of total pork consumption.

“Although all fresh pork is grown in Australia, frozen imported pork accounts for about 40 per cent of what’s used in the processed pork market,” Mr Coole explained.

Building on the emotional bond Australian consumers have with farmers and their produce, HomeGrown will let consumers know, for the first time, if the processed pork product they’re buying is genuinely made with 100 per cent Australian produce.

WA’s 360 pork producers contribute $112 million in annual gross value of production (farm-gate), and help generate direct and indirect employment for nearly 3000 people.