English
The Karoo Lamb now has its own set of rules which will protect its value and reputation. Those who have been using the term for meat that is not up to standard or for animals that are not of the Karoo region will now have to face audits to prove the authenticity of the meat that they are providing.
There are a number of ways that the Department of Agriculture plans on checking in on the quality and authenticity of the lamb. One of these is to get farmers to comply with a short list of “rules” in order to classify their lamb as Karoo Lamb.
These rules stipulate that the meat should be free range, be classified as lamb per classification regulations, has been raised on veld with shrubbery that are typical of the Karoo region, have not been raised in a feedlot, and no hormones or antibiotics should have been used in rearing these lambs.
As these are the practices that take place in the Karoo, anyone not able to comply with all of these rules should not be able to label their lamb as Karoo Lamb. No compromises will be made when it comes to hygiene and how the lamb is reared and slaughtered.
An important change in the regulations is that the Karoo will not be governed under the original Meat Regulations anymore, which allows the Karoo to nominate its own auditor to help keep up the accuracy of marketing the meat correctly. It is hoped that setting these regulations will clarify the future of Karoo Lamb, and assist Karoo farmers in gaining the true value behind their lamb.
One final step needs to take place: the forming of an association which will help refine the procedure and adapt the regulations set for the Karoo Lamb.
Find the original article on Daily Maverick
