❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding free-range egg farming stocking densities and the potential for misleading consumers. The Minister's response indicates a lack of government oversight and acceptance of higher stocking densities than recommended.
AnsweredQoN 32Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
POULTRY FARMING — STOCKING DENSITIES
32. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the
Minister for Agriculture and Food:
(1) Is the
minister aware that the fourth edition of the ''Model Code of Practice
for the Welfare of Animals: Domestic Poultry'' recommends a maximum of 1
500 layer hens per hectare?
(2) How many free-range egg farms are there in Western
Australia?
(3) What are the current stocking densities of those farms?
(4) Are eggs
from farms with stocking densities exceeding 1 500 birds per hectare currently
marketed in Western Australia as free range?
(5) Will the
minister oppose the move by the Australian Egg Corporation Limited to institute
a legally binding definition of ''free range'' for laying hens to
include a maximum stocking density of 20 000 birds per hectare?
32. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the
Minister for Agriculture and Food:
(1) Is the
minister aware that the fourth edition of the ''Model Code of Practice
for the Welfare of Animals: Domestic Poultry'' recommends a maximum of 1
500 layer hens per hectare?
(2) How many free-range egg farms are there in Western
Australia?
(3) What are the current stocking densities of those farms?
(4) Are eggs
from farms with stocking densities exceeding 1 500 birds per hectare currently
marketed in Western Australia as free range?
(5) Will the
minister oppose the move by the Australian Egg Corporation Limited to institute
a legally binding definition of ''free range'' for laying hens to
include a maximum stocking density of 20 000 birds per hectare?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for
Agriculture and Food, I thank the member for some notice of this question.
(1) Yes.
(2)–(3) The government does not keep records of the
number of free-range egg farms in Western Australia.
(4) Yes.
(5) No.
Agriculture and Food, I thank the member for some notice of this question.
(1) Yes.
(2)–(3) The government does not keep records of the
number of free-range egg farms in Western Australia.
(4) Yes.
(5) No.
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