❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding free-range egg production standards, specifically questioning the Minister's stance on outdoor access age, de-beaking, and stocking density, in light of differing recommendations from the Model Code and the Australian Egg Corporation Limited.
AnsweredQoN 5267Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware that the
Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Domestic Poultry 4th edition
recommends that all birds when fully feathered (that is, aged approximately five to six weeks) must have ready access through openings to the outdoor range during daylight hours for a minimum of eight hours per day?
(2) Will the Minister oppose the move by the Australian Egg Corporation Limited (AECL) -
(a) to institute a legally binding definition of 'free range' in relation to laying hens to include outside access from five weeks after the start of laying, that is, at 25 to 26 weeks of age; and
(b) to permit the de-beaking of free range hens?
(3) At what age does the Minister consider that laying hens should have outdoor access?
(4) What maximum stocking density does the Minister support for free range laying hens?
Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Domestic Poultry 4th edition
recommends that all birds when fully feathered (that is, aged approximately five to six weeks) must have ready access through openings to the outdoor range during daylight hours for a minimum of eight hours per day?
(2) Will the Minister oppose the move by the Australian Egg Corporation Limited (AECL) -
(a) to institute a legally binding definition of 'free range' in relation to laying hens to include outside access from five weeks after the start of laying, that is, at 25 to 26 weeks of age; and
(b) to permit the de-beaking of free range hens?
(3) At what age does the Minister consider that laying hens should have outdoor access?
(4) What maximum stocking density does the Minister support for free range laying hens?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 May 2012
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
54 days
(1) Yes, in free-range egg productions systems.
(2)-(3) The State Government supports compliance with the Code as the basis for good management of free range birds for egg production.
(4) The Code states that free range birds may not be stocked at a density higher than 1500 per hectare
unless
they are regularly rotated into fresh range areas and close management is undertaken which provides some continuing fodder cover. The Australian Egg Corporation Limited's quality assurance program, Egg Standards Australia (ESA) recommends a maximum density for free range egg production of 20 000 birds per hectare. The majority of the Western Australian layer industry supports ESA.
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(2)-(3) The State Government supports compliance with the Code as the basis for good management of free range birds for egg production.
(4) The Code states that free range birds may not be stocked at a density higher than 1500 per hectare
unless
they are regularly rotated into fresh range areas and close management is undertaken which provides some continuing fodder cover. The Australian Egg Corporation Limited's quality assurance program, Egg Standards Australia (ESA) recommends a maximum density for free range egg production of 20 000 birds per hectare. The majority of the Western Australian layer industry supports ESA.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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