Parliament receives recommendation to phase out caged hens by 2036

A deadline has been set for phasing out caged hens in a move that could increase egg prices, but critics warn it doesn’t come soon enough.

Egg prices could go up under a plan to phase out caged hens by 2036, but critics argue the measure does not come soon enough.

A draft report on poultry standards has recommended eggs from cages be phased out between 2032 and 2036, ten years earlier than industry demanded.

Although some companies have already shifted to free-range eggs, major grocery chains continue to sell a mixture.

The development has also sparked fears prices could rise in restaurants and bakeries, which are heavily reliant on caged-eggs.

The draft, written Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines, was expected to be tabled in the Senate on Wednesday.

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi welcomed the move as a “step in the right direction” but said the transition should “certainly happen faster”.

“There has been plenty of time for the industry to change their practices. It’s really time for some action,” she said.

“We know the vast majority of people have been really concerned about hens being kept in battery cages under such cruel and inhumane conditions. They don’t want hens trapped in A4-size spaces.

“Industry does not need up to 15 years to transition away from battery cages.”

Parliament has received a recommendation to phase out eggs produced by caged hens by 2036.

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi says the plan is a ‘step in the right direction’ but does not come soon enough. Picture: Joel Carrett/AAP Image

PETA Australia spokeswoman Emily Rice said there were 12 million battery hens in cages in Australia each year, which means that by 2036, around 180 million birds would suffer in cages before the measure came into effect.

“That’s a really long time, especially when you consider that this is a concern that people have been raising for already decades as another 15 years,” she told NCA NewsWire.

Thirty of 36 OECD nations have either phased out caged eggs or are in the process of doing so.

Ms Rice described Australian industry calls for a 2046 deadline as “ludicrous”.

“Australia is already lagging behind so many nations that have already done this … Now we’re just talking about it, so we’re actually very low on the ladder,” she said.

Although arguing “eggs are the problem”, she said caged chickens in particular faced a “myriad of problems” and were “to the very, very bare bones to become an egg machine”.

“Chickens are really intelligent animals (and) they’re actually very individual animals,” she said.

“They create quite a complex social order, so they need a lot of stimulation, and they also need a lot of room. Caged systems deny them social interaction and room, the two things hens value the most.”

Egg Farmers of Australia was approached for comment.