Tegel Foods Ltd Media Statement March 12, 2002

Consumers know the difference

Tegel says that research and market feedback show that consumers see a distinction between antibiotics and growth hormones.

"New Zealanders see antibiotics and hormones as two different issues. Sue Kedgley appears unwilling to credit them with
such intelligence, and continues to insist it is all semantics.”

“Antibiotics are not synthetic growth promotants which directly affect the chicken's metabolism. The prophylactic use of antibiotics stops the chickens from catching ailments that inhibit growth.”

“Market feedback indicates that consumers’ concern regarding hormones and antibiotics are completely different and unrelated.”

"On the matter of access to farms, the media have had sufficient access to Tegel chicken farms in the past two years to know that Ms Kedgley's calls for open access to journalists and the public is impractical and unrealistic given biosecurity practices.”

"While it is claimed a Listener journalist was denied access to a farm, in fact he was merely asked to delay such a visit until after the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) review.”

“NAWAC is completing a full review of broiler growing conditions, and is due to report to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry this month. The full NAWAC committee visited Tegel farms recently. Tegel Foods approach is to give its full support to this expert and balanced review.”

For Further information contact:
Rod Hanna
Tegel Foods
09 379 1809

© Scoop Media