Poor communication between consumers and agriculture

Communication between SA’s consumers and the agricultural sector was lacking, according to Tutti Rudman, SA National Consumer Union (SANCU) chairperson.

- Advertisement -

She said at the 2015 Free State Red Meat Producers’ Organisation congress in Bloemfontein consumers have the right in terms of the UN Consumer Rights manifesto to information that will enable them to make informed decisions pertaining to the food on offer.

Consumer rights included the right to safe food, the right to demand information in order to make informed decisions, the right to choose and the right to be listened to, according to Rudman. “I call on SA’s red meat producers to heed this request and to start engaging with the consumers as their primary clients,” she said.

The consumer was highly valued by the South African red meat production industry, said Gerhard Schutte, Red Meat Producer Organisation (RPO) CEO. He said the industry needed to seriously start investigating the implementation of a traceability system for red meat products.

- Advertisement -

The South African Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA) was committed to the sustainable and ongoing production of top quality red meat, according to Dr Gerhard Neethling, RMAA CEO. He said the association therefore actively promoted the humane handling of slaughter animals and environmentally friendly management practices.