Thursday, 8 September 2022

Free (Cooking) Range?

The European Commission (EC) is considering removing the current time limit on chickens being able to go outside, for their eggs to be marketed as 'free range' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/08/free-range-eggs-in-eu-could-be-from-birds-housed-all-their-lives-indoors). Bird 'flu poses a serious danger to poultry flocks. The virus can be transmitted by migrating wildbirds. Farmers are tending (in some places ordered) to keep their birds indoors, to reduce their risk of infection. The change could, however, result in 'free range' eggs, being from chickens who have never once stepped outdoors. This would make the 'free range' designation entirely meaningless. Perhaps, the EC should concentrate on other measures of bird welfare in egg production and a new label?
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Flowers of Oahu 37. Macadamia nut (Macadamia integrifolia mauka)

An Hawaiian success story

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