[Greens-Media] Greens Welcome ACCC Ruling on Eggs Sham

[Franks, Office]

The Greens' Animal Welfare spokesperson Tammy Franks has welcomed the ruling from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) rejecting the proposal from the Australian Egg Corporation (AECL) to change free range egg standards to allow for an increase stocking densities by 1233% - from 1,500 to 20,000 birds per hectare.

"The Greens commend the ACCC on taking this stance to ensure that consumers purchasing eggs labelled 'free range' will not unwittingly be purchasing eggs that do not comply with realistic expectations of what free range should be.

The public consultation held by the ACCC saw 1700 submissions received - with only a paltry seven supporting the AECL's proposed standards.

"This announcement, coming as it does on the heels of a successful prosecution by the ACCC of a South Australian egg producer (for substituting cage eggs for free-range eggs) is yet further clear indication of the need for a national uniform standards for free range eggs that will protect consumers and maintain high animal welfare standards.

"With NSW, the ACT, and now Western Australia all moving to regulate the production of free range eggs and Tasmania phasing out battery hens altogether, it's clear the SA government needs to support the Greens and Liberal bills currently before Parliament that would establish an enforceable regulatory scheme for the labelling of free range eggs, to provide certainty to consumers and egg producers and stop fraudulent rip-offs.

"Such a scheme would ensure that free range production was truly free range and ensure that consumers get what they pay for which is enhanced animal welfare outcomes", Ms Franks concluded.

Read the Australian Greens submission to the ACCC here: http://greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/120620_accc_egg_inquiry_aust_greens_sub_final.pdf