Pork mixed into bakso as Jakarta beef shortage bites

The Jakarta Beef Committee says the city's quota of imported beef has run out and local supplies are running short, as media outlets report that bakso manufacturers are illegally mixing cheaper-priced pork into the popular beef meatballs, which is haram, or forbidden, for Muslims to eat. Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo said that with beef prices continuing to soar, there was a risk that more butcher shops and meat-processing plants would try to pass off pork as beef. Random inspections of markets have revealed that such practices are widespread, he told the Jakarta Post. “Everyday we discover [pork mixed with beef] in our raids." Jakarta Police arrested four people last week for running a meat-processing factory that allegedly mixed pork into what was supposed to be pure beef meatballs to supply to bakso vendors in Jakarta. Staff at the slaughterhouse claimed their meat supplier had decived them by smearing cow blood to disguise the pork. Meanwhile, Sarman Simanjorang, chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the National Beef Committee (KDS), said the city had run out of imported beef, and local sources were unable to satisfy the demand for 1500 cattle a day. Sarman told the Jakarta Globe that beef was now so scarce, consumers could expect to pay upward of Rp 120,000 ($12) per kilogram at traditional markets and even more at supermarkets. Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo said it was important to sustain a sufficient supply of beef. "If it’s insufficient, then the practice (of mixing pork into meatballs) will continue,” he said. Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population. 

Canadian cattlemen join Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) has announced its decision to join the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. The GRSB developed out of the Global Conference on Sustainable Beef held in Denver, Colorado in December 2010, and existing members include National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Cattle Council of Australia, GTPC (the Brazilian Roundtable for sustainable livestock), Cargill, JBS, Marfrig, McDonald’s, Walmart, Elanco, Merck, GTPS, Dow Agro Chemicals, Darden, the World Wildlife Fund, Solidaridad, The Nature Conservancy, and the National Wildlife Federation. The GRSB’s goal according to its president Cameron Bruett is to create the most sustainable global beef value chain possible. Canadian Cattlemen’s Association president President Martin Unrau said working with and contributing Canadian research and expertise to the roundtable’s efforts towards improving global sustainable beef production was an opportunity not to be missed. “The CCA recognises the numerous value propositions for becoming a GRSB member like engaging with leaders from across the value chain and participation in shaping the global dialogue on beef sustainability,” Mr Unrau said.  “In our view, sustainable beef production is crucial to the long-term competitiveness of Canada’s beef cattle industry. We have found a good fit in the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and look forward to continued collaboration with them.”

Bigger reach for rural financial counselling

The Australian Government has announced a 12 month trial to extend the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) into the Northern Territory. The RFCS Program funds grants to state and regional organisations to provide free financial counselling to primary producers, fishers and small rural businesses who are suffering financial hardship. The initiative will see $50,000 committed to extending the South Australian RFCS into the Northern Territory for two weeks every three months. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said “the trial was the most effective way to gauge the demand for the RFCS in the Territory. "It will create an important foundation for the development of informed policy into the future,” said Minister Ludwig. On 4 May 2011, the Australian Government allocated $54.9 million over four years to extend the RFCS Program to 30 June 2015.

High cost for illegal farm water crossing

A private NSW landholder has been ordered to pay $11,000 in fines and court costs after pleading guilty in Coffs Harbour Local Court to illegally constructing a crossing over the Kalang River at Brierfield. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said the man constructed a low level vehicle crossing between two parts of his property without first obtaining any approvals from government authorities. “Both DPI and Bellingen Shire Council had previously advised the man that approvals would be required to replace a crossing that had washed away in a flood,” Mr Tritton said.“A development application was submitted to Council and DPI requested further information when assessing the application as the information provided was inadequate.“The man subsequently constructed the crossing without approval and later withdrew the development application. “Logs were placed across the river and backfilled with rock and gravel, including 19 tonnes of rock bought from a local quarry.” He pleaded guilty to ‘carrying out a reclamation without a permit’ and ‘obstruction of fish passage’ and was fined $2000 on each count, plus was ordered to pay costs totalling almost $7,000. The Magistrate found that the works caused an actual and potential obstruction of fish passage, and there was demonstrable harm to fish due to the obstruction and loss of fish habitat. The defendant's submission that the works were done out of necessity and were less serious due to the presence of a pre-existing crossing or the location of other similar crossings in the area was rejected by the Magistrate.
 

Study examines drivers for sustainable land management

More than 1300 farm managers across Australia have been surveyed to identify the key drivers that influence the adoption of sustainable farming practices in Australia. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) examined four key motivating factors: financial, environmental and personal concerns, as well as the availability of support networks. The study identified that broadacre and dairy farmers were strongly motivated by financial concerns, with preservation of the natural resource base a key driver across all industry sectors. Training courses, workshops, pilot trials and agribusiness initiatives also played a key role, along with external support networks, ranging from Landcare and production groups to private consultants, regional natural resource management facilitators and government programs.  The biggest obstables to the adoption of sustainable management were identified as a lack of funds, followed by available time and workload.  ABARES Executive Director Paul Morris said the results provide an important foundation for the development of effective policies and programs in government, NGOs and the private sector.