Letter regarding Kelmarna's cattle

7 June 2019

To our Community

Letter regarding our Cattle

This letter is in response to the strength of sentiment shown on social media regarding our cattle.  

Kelmarna was established as a city farm in the 1980s, to be a demonstration resource for the community, and to promote organic food growing and self-sufficiency. For decades this has involved grazing livestock in our paddocks that have all ended up in the food system. Two years ago Kelmarna was given our current livestock in exchange for many prior years of grazing.  We took on the responsibility to decide on their care and their future as an opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable local food system. It is not a responsibility that we have taken lightly.

In our view the discussion about which foods we should eat as part of a truly sustainable diet, and whether animal products should be part of that, is ongoing.  We consider that those who choose to eat meat should be able to know where it has come from and how it has been raised, in order to make an informed decision about it. This is why we have chosen to involve the community in this process.  Characteristics of a better food system include honesty and transparency.

Thank you to those who have offered money for the rehoming of the cattle, but as explained above, this is not a financial decision.

We welcome additions to this conversation about how we can be part of a better and more sustainable food system, and will continue to engage our community around this issue in the future. It is a critical and highly complex issue, which can be emotionally charged.

Sincerely,
Phillippa Wilkie,
Chair
Kelmarna Community Garden Trust Board