4 ms·

The problem is that "free range" is easy to define. Which criteria should we label for that are meaningful in other countries across the world? Made by worker

The problem is that "free range" is easy to define. Which criteria should we label for that are meaningful in other countries across the world? Made by workers: Receiving Minimum wage (which one)? Receiving Free healthcare? Working a maximum of 8 hours / day? Over the age of 16? 18? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it, but defining what is acceptable is not easy. Don't forget that in most western countries no access to free healthcare would be defined as unacceptable. Also in some poor countries 14 year old "kids" have fought against anti-child labour laws because they were the only provider for their family and there is no help from the government regardless of your condition.

SixSigma 11y ago
There's ISO 26000 [1] which is voluntary and SA 8000 [2] which is a certification. That would be a start. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_26000 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_26000 [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA8000 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA8000
jsprogrammer 11y ago
"Free range" isn't the label used in the example you replied to, but "from caged hens". The problem isn't trying to define meaningful labels, but to record the most salient facts. For starters: record and disseminate the human hours exerted and wage paid for each manufactured item. 2 Assemblers @ 1 hr/each @ $2/hr 1 Packager @ 1 minute @ $1/hr etc Consumers may then dynamically choose based on their current preferences. I don't think it's an ideal system, but it would be a significant improvement over the current situation.
mistercow 11y ago
"Free range" actually isn't so easily defined, and most "free range" eggs, come from hens living in conditions that most reasonable people would still consider absolutely appalling.
- codyb 11y ago
  Yea, now I aim for pasture raised which is essentially the gold standard here in the USA and implies the hens lived primarily outdoors and ate what they wanted. Lots of time "free range" is the same as caged, just... without the cages. The hens are too fat to go anywhere anyways.

SixSigma 11y ago

There's ISO 26000 [1] which is voluntary and SA 8000 [2] which is a certification. That would be a start. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_26000 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_26000 [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA8000 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA8000

jsprogrammer 11y ago

"Free range" isn't the label used in the example you replied to, but "from caged hens". The problem isn't trying to define meaningful labels, but to record the most salient facts. For starters: record and disseminate the human hours exerted and wage paid for each manufactured item. 2 Assemblers @ 1 hr/each @ $2/hr 1 Packager @ 1 minute @ $1/hr etc Consumers may then dynamically choose based on their current preferences. I don't think it's an ideal system, but it would be a significant improvement over the current situation.

mistercow 11y ago

"Free range" actually isn't so easily defined, and most "free range" eggs, come from hens living in conditions that most reasonable people would still consider absolutely appalling.

codyb 11y ago
Yea, now I aim for pasture raised which is essentially the gold standard here in the USA and implies the hens lived primarily outdoors and ate what they wanted. Lots of time "free range" is the same as caged, just... without the cages. The hens are too fat to go anywhere anyways.