Free range egg law move ruffles feathers

CHICKEN farmers and egg eaters are squabbling over a new definition for free range eggs as the Government attempts to unscramble confusing labelling laws.

Free Range Chickens

CHICKEN farmers and egg lovers are squabbling over a new definition for free-range eggs as the Federal Government attempts to unscramble confusing labelling laws.

Consultation has solicited mixed suggestions on what’s best for chooks and shoppers, amid claims a proposed definition could kill heat-stressed birds.

A draft national standard is being worked on after a raft of cases in which farmers have been caught lying about their products.

But the ACCC’s definition that “most hens move freely on an open range on most days” has angered farmers, who say it doesn’t take into account modern practices.

Egg Farmers of Australia spokesman John Coward said producers would not be able to use the term “free range’’ unless they forced their birds outside.

“If I have to have most hens outside on most ordinary days, I have to force them out,” he said.

The group believes all shoppers want is for chooks to be “unconfined within a ventilated hen house with meaningful access to, and are free to roam and forage, on an outdoor range during daylight hours”.

Choice wants standards to reflect consumers’ reasonable expectations that chickens “do move about freely on an open range on most ordinary days”.

Animals Australia agrees with that definition but wants labels to also highlight the number of hens per hectare.

Kevin Ross who owns the certified free range farm Moya Valley Poultry in the Mary Valley. Photo Lachie Millard

It wants an extra label of “Barn laid – Access to outdoors” for chickens that can go outside but mostly don’t.

But farmers have an ally in Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, who said a sensible definition was needed, not one that reflected “grandma’s five chooks in the back yard”.

“Ultimately we have to understand how poultry works,” he said.

Moya Valley Poultry owner Kevin Ross said letting his 10,000 birds roam his 12,000ha Imbil property created less stress on the fowl and there was always enough shade in summer. “Meat chickens won’t go far from the shed but the layers will go for miles,” he said

He has been breeding chickens for 21 years and sells his eggs at Sunshine Coast butchers and supermarkets for $7.99 a dozen.

“If it’s hot, I’ll leave the sheds open. They do need a bit of shade around the place.

“But we’ve also got long grass, so they love getting amongst that.”