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Just a quick update on the importation of weasel coffee without any licence:
The rules are now.
1. Up to 1kg.
2. Must be roasted.
3. For personal use and not for resale.
4. Sealed bags and not contaminated.
The quarantine guy, who dealt with my declaration this morning, never even looked at the bag, so I guess it's a commonly imported item.
Up till recently, anything that had been passed through the digestive tract of a critter was a banned import, even after roasting.
This month the Department of Ag and Water (was AQIS, then DAFF now called DAWR) has changed the rules to allow Palm Civet Cat coffee...
Case: Coffee for processing or human consumption Effective: 06 Apr 2017
This case contains a number of different import scenarios with associated import conditions. You can refine the import scenarios by answering the questions below.form: evaluate question
Has the coffee bean undergone partial digestion through the alimentary tract of an approved animal?
Palm civet cats are the only animal approved by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources for this process.
Coffee bean products that have been partially digested by animals other than palm civet cats (e.g. jacu birds or elephants) must be assessed by Animal Biosecurity prior to importation. For more information, please contact the Import Services Team.
While it is now an allowed import (as mentioned above) caged animals force-fed low grade coffee cherry is hardly a nice industry on many levels... which is why CoffeeSnobs won't ever sell the beans.
While it is now an allowed import (as mentioned above) caged animals force-fed low grade coffee cherry is hardly a nice industry on many levels... which is why CoffeeSnobs won't ever sell the beans.
Without wishing to affect the route of the 'outrage bus', I was merely correcting the outdated information regarding it's importation. As always, it is a personal decision as to what you buy and where you buy it. If it offends your sensibilities to buy this item, then don't buy it. (Just like importing stuff from overseas)
As for the change Andy quoted on the 6 Apr 17, I checked the website way before that and it was ok to import it.
In fact further checking found that the rules changed on the 10 Sep 2012, hardly recently!
I wasn't aware that the rule changed that long ago, certainly this time last year my green bean import permits were still showing it as a banned item.
I'm not too sure anyone was on the outrage bus but just voicing our own stance on the subject. It's an odd beast, everyone asks if you have tried it when you tell them you are in the industry (BTW the answer is yes, I've had it multiple times from confirmed sources that were picking wild/natural Luwak poo). I don't have a problem with people drinking it, I just hope it doesn't come from caged animals and also hope that others ask that question.
Personally, I rank it pretty close to Rhino horn and Tiger penis... but I never need to know what they are like.
I have to say you are a long way down the coffee path when you come to the conclusion that the best way to make a an espresso is using beans you picked up out of elephant/civet/weasel sh!t.
Along the same line of thought.. who was the first person to think that it would be a good idea to milk a cow and drink what came out? It seems natural to us now, if you like your lattes.
Andy, I think that the rules regarding importation for commercial purposes are still very strict and need licences, but for personal use, it's more relaxed. (and it wasn't as good as my home roasted Peru, I may have to try eating it first and seeing whether the cupping notes are improved.)
Not an outraged reaction, I don't give a toss if people chose to get their caffeine fix this way, more a regret that chasing after new ways to be a conspicuous consumer (wanker) leads to this sort of ill-treatment of any animal. Not a sandal wearing vegan either
Not an outraged reaction, I don't give a toss if people chose to get their caffeine fix this way, more a regret that chasing after new ways to be a conspicuous consumer (wanker) leads to this sort of ill-treatment of any animal. Not a sandal wearing vegan either
One of the greatest indictments on Western society is that animal welfare is seen as a fringe, almost loony interest. IMO.
Not sure about it being limited to Western society Matt, I've witnessed appalling practices throughout SE Asia, and its considered quite normal.
Oh, absolutely - not saying it's limited to the west at all (this thread is an illustration of that!).
But in the developed, capitalist West we are pretty good at rationalising cruelty on an industrial scale and for economic reasons.
There's probably a thesis or two in the differences in the cultural, economic and socio-political landscapes of developed and developing countries and how that impacts treatment of animals. 🤔
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