Appendix E — Relevant regulation across jurisdictions State/ territory Outdoor stocking density Indoor stocking density Access outdoor Exits Free range defined Cagedeggs Barnlaid defined Package labelling Sale display requirements NSW — Model Code applies voluntarily Model Code — max 1,500 hens per hectare, but higher numbers acceptable if regularly rotated and continuing fodder Code — max 30kg/m2 (approx. 15 birds per square metre) Model Code applies Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Australian Consumer Law applies Australian Consumer Law applies QLD — Animal Care & Protection Amendment Regulation (No 2) 2013 10,000 hens per hectare No max set Regulation, but Model Code applies voluntarily Maximum of 1,500 fowl per hectare for free range eggs. 10,000 hens per hectare are allowed where additional animal welfare parameter are met. Model Code applies Model Code applies. Free range defined as 10,000 hens per hectare where the range is managed to prevent unsuitable conditions, birds have access to the outdoor area through specified minimumsized shed openings and birds have access to the outdoor area for at least 8 hours per day, once they are fully feathered. Model Code applies Model Code applies Australian Consumer Law applies Australian Consumer Law applies WA — Model Code applies voluntarily Code — max 1,500 hens per hectare, but higher numbers Model Code — max 30kg/m2 (approx. 15 birds per square metre) Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Australian Consumer Law applies Australian Consumer Law applies
acceptable if regularly rotated and continuing fodder VIC — Model Code applies voluntarily Model Code — max 1,500 hens per hectare, but higher numbers acceptable if regularly rotated and continuing fodder Model Code — max 30kg/m2 (approx. 15 birds per square metre) Model Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Australian Consumer Law applies Australian Consumer Law applies ACT — Egg (Labelling and Sale) Act 2001 Requires compliance with Model Code — max 1,500 hens per hectare, but higher numbers acceptable if regularly rotated and continuing fodder Requires compliance with Model Code — 30kg/m2 (approx. 15 birds per square metre) Model Code applies Model Code applies Hens are kept in cages: (a) without access to litter, or nest; and (b) in accordance with the stocking level and other requirements for cage systems under the code. Provision enacted by ACT legislation. Hens are kept: (a) with freedom and capacity to socialise, move freely within the shed, stretch, perch, nest, dust bathe, flap and fly; (b) with adequate perching facilities and nests available to all birds within the shed to accommodate Cage, barn and freerange eggs: Specific signage must be displayed on egg packaging. Signs must be placed prominently to be seen and read easily by a person at or near the display. The statement on the sign must be printed in: (i) a colour that contrasts with the background colour of the Reference to the egg labelling requirements, for hen eggs, (a) the egg packaging displays the relevant expression in schedule 1 indicating the conditions under which the hens that produced the eggs are kept; (b) the relevant expression is
needs; (c) with half the housing kept under litter; and (d) in accordance with the stocking level and other requirements for deep litter systems on a single level under the Code. Provision enacted by ACT legislation. sign; and (ii) Arial bold typeface in a size not less than 50 point. Provision enacted by ACT legislation. Australian Consumer Law also applies. preceded or followed by the word ‘egg’ or ‘eggs’; and (c) the relevant expression is conspicuously displayed on the packaging in standard type of at least 6mm high. Provision enacted by ACT legislation; Australian Consumer Law also applies. TAS — Model Code applies voluntarily N.B. The Tasmanian Government did not proceed with the Egg Labelling and Sale Bill 2013. Model Code — max 1,500 hens per hectare, but higher numbers acceptable if regularly rotated and continuing fodder Code — max 30kg/m2 (approx. 15 birds per square metre) Model Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Code applies Australian Consumer Law applies. Australian Consumer Law applies.
SA — Proposed voluntary industry code the Fair Trading Act 1987 (SA) and associated trademark. Max 1,500 hens per hectare Model Code — max 30kg/m2 (approx. 15 birds per square metre) Minimum 8 hours per day during daylight hours, except during adverse weather conditions or during outbreaks of disease or threat of disease. Shelter must include reasonable windbreaks and shade. Model Code Applies Standards as outlined in the Model Code (e.g. stocking density, access to range). Model Code applies Code Applies Prescribed voluntary industry code (i.e. optin) will allow use of certified trademark Code Applies NT — Model Code applies voluntarily Model Code — max 1,500 hens per hectare, but higher numbers acceptable if regularly rotated and continuing fodder Code — max 30kg/m2 (approx. 15 birds per square metre) Model Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Model Code applies Australian Consumer Law applies Australian Consumer Law applies
RSPCA (Approved Farming Scheme Standards — Layer Hens (August 2015)) Yes plus additional standards Daily access to range outdoors immediately after egglaying period. Sufficient overhead shade should be provided to encourage hens to access the range. Outdoor Maximum 1,500 hens per hectare on farms where there is no rotation to other areas, or Maximum of 2,500 hens per hectare where hens can be rotated to other outdoor areas. Beak trimming only under certain conditions or with prior approval from RSPCA. Induced moulting not permitted. Accredited farms are authorised to use the RSPCA ‘Paw of Approval’ logo. Indoor No more than 7 bids per square metre of usable area for floorbased systems No more than 9 bids per square metre of usable area for tiered systems Coles (Coles Egg Production Standard for Free Range eggs) Yes Outdoor areas are designed to encourage hens to roam, protect them from extremes of weather and temperature, and allow natural flock behaviour such as roaming around, perching and dust bathing. Outdoor A maximum of 10,000 hens per hectare, with hen allocated at least one square metre of outdoor space. Beak trimming is to be avoided through provision of proper environment and breed selection. Where required, only allow a single beak trim to be undertaken by an accredited person under vet supervision. Coles brand (private label) free range eggs. Indoor Max 12 per square metre for all horizontal surfaces As per Model Code Woolworth (Egg Corp Assured certified trademark) Yes Outdoor range areas are designed to protect hens from extremes of weather and temperature. Outdoor 1,500 hens per hectare. Up to 10,000 per hectare allowed if hens are regularly rotated onto range areas. Beak trimming must be done by an accredited person. Woolworths Macro and Select brand free range eggs. Indoor
Commercial Egg Producers Association of Western Australia Cooper, Sylvia Cottle, Cox, Russell Crichlow, Audrey Davis, Charles De Burgh, David Edwards, Margaret Egg Farmers of Australia Eichenberger, Ayshea Eynon, Sarah-Jane Fleurieu Free Range Eggs Fraser, Todd and Jessica Free Range Farmers Association Victoria Freeranger Eggs FREPOSA 1500 Gelman, Julie Glasencnik, Traudy Greig, Lynn Gumnut Gardens Hanstead, Garry MacLaren, the Hon Lyn MLC Humane Society International Humane Society International - additional submission Hummerston, Beth Hungerford, Judy Hunt, Elaine IdleWilde Open Range Farm Isaac, Geoff Katham Springs Kendall, Jan Kidd, Andy Koci, Stephen Kossies Free Range Eggs Lashbrook Farm Laurence, Dinny Law Society of South Australia Lewis, Johanna Londey, Michael Mackenzie, Jane Marshall, Duncan Matheson, Anne Louise McIsaac, Kevin McKibben, Mervyn McQueen, Jodie Morrison, Karen Neal, Trevor Nelson, Serena Faber NSW Department of Primary Industries NSW Farmers Nugent, Michael Jayson Office of the NSW Business Commissioner Janis Panvino, Calogero Park, Samuel Parry, Rob Power, Julie PROOF Prus, Sarah Queensland United Egg Producers Rattenbury, Shane MLA Rechten, Rebekka Rhoades, Marlene Rothfield, David Australia Ruhnke, Isabelle Safe Food Production QLD Santi, Isaliah