CONSUMERS affairs ministers have agreed that free-range eggs must come from hens that have meaningful and regular access to an outdoor range, with a stocking density of no more than 10,000 hens per hectare – one bird per square metre.
NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello welcomed today’s agreement at the Consumer Affairs Forum in Canberra.
The move has pleased industry, with NSW Farmers declaring common sense and science had prevailed in ‘a good day for chooks’.
But consumer watchdog Choice slammed the decision and announced a free-range boycott.
Outdoor stocking densities (hens per hectare) will need to be prominently displayed on packaging. A safe harbour defence will also be introduced to provide clarity for egg producers on enforcement of the new standards.
The new standard will come into effect next year.
The option was one of four considered by the forum and commonly referred to as ‘option three’.
“I am pleased that we were able to achieve a sensible outcome today which will enable consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions,” Mr Dominello said.
“About 13 million eggs are consumed each day in Australia and demand is continuing to grow. Eggs labelled as free range sell at a premium and our decision today means consumers can be sure they’ve got what they’ve paid for.”
Consumer watchdog Choice had written to ministers urging them to reject all of the proposals put to today's meeting.
Choice said all of the options that were being put to the ministers favoured ‘big egg’.
Choice head of media Tom Godfrey tweeted his reaction to the news: “I think #giveacluck just became #getclucked as @choiceaustralia announces free range boycott”.
Mr Godfrey called for a boycott on Aldi Lodge Farm Free Range, Coles Free Range, EcoEggs, Farm Pride Free Range, Pace Farm Free Range, and Woolworths Free Range – who have all been operating at a density of 10,000 hens per hectare.
NSW Farmers said common sense and science had prevailed in ‘a good day for chooks’.
The QLD and Victorian farmers’ federations also supported the result.
"We're pleased with the result. It's a win for consumers, a win for farmers and it's a win for our chooks," NSW Farmers CEO Matt Brand said.
"Each Consumer Affairs Minister who supported today's outcome took the time to visit a farm. They engaged with the issue and they've got this decision right.
NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair welcomed the development and the boost it could give farmers.
“This agreement provides producers in NSW with clarity and certainty around egg labelling,” he said.
“If we restricted the definition of free range, supply would fail to meet demand”.
