❓ Hon Rick Mazza questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the alleged repackaging of fertile meat chicken eggs as free-range or barn eggs in WA. The Minister acknowledges the issue and states further evidence is needed to substantiate the allegations.
AnsweredQoN 980Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
EGGS — LABELLING
980. Hon RICK MAZZA to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to my question without
notice 891 that I asked on 9 October 2018 to the minister representing the
Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations.
(1) Does the
Minister for Agriculture and Food recall the egg industry publicly raising with
her at the Commercial Egg Producers Association of Western Australia Inc's
sundowner on 17 July 2018 the issue of fertile meat chicken eggs being brought
in from the eastern states that are then repackaged or rebranded as free-range
or barn eggs and sold to Western Australian consumers?
(2) If yes to (1), has the minister
followed up and investigated whether this practice is taking place?
(3) If yes to (2), what was the
outcome?
(4) If no to (2), why not?
980. Hon RICK MAZZA to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to my question without
notice 891 that I asked on 9 October 2018 to the minister representing the
Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations.
(1) Does the
Minister for Agriculture and Food recall the egg industry publicly raising with
her at the Commercial Egg Producers Association of Western Australia Inc's
sundowner on 17 July 2018 the issue of fertile meat chicken eggs being brought
in from the eastern states that are then repackaged or rebranded as free-range
or barn eggs and sold to Western Australian consumers?
(2) If yes to (1), has the minister
followed up and investigated whether this practice is taking place?
(3) If yes to (2), what was the
outcome?
(4) If no to (2), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
(1) The issue of barn and cage-laid
eggs repackaged as free-range eggs was raised at the sundowner.
(2) My staff have
spoken to the president of the Commercial Egg Producers Association of Western Australia
and the managing director of Golden Eggs. My understanding is that although
selling fertilised eggs is not prohibited, the issue is that these eggs, likely
to be laid in a barn, may be repackaged and sold to unsuspecting consumers at a
premium price as free-range eggs. Although industry has some evidence
demonstrating fertilised eggs are sold in Western Australia, allegations that
these eggs, potentially laid in a barn, are repackaged and sold as free-range
eggs at a premium, requires further substantiation.
(3) At this time,
allegations have been made but further evidence is needed to substantiate these
allegations. As I have stated previously, I would encourage anyone with
specific information or related complaints to contact the Department of Mines,
Industry Regulation and Safety's Consumer Protection division, which in
conjunction with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has
responsibility for the investigation of alleged breaches of this legislation.
(4) Not applicable.
(1) The issue of barn and cage-laid
eggs repackaged as free-range eggs was raised at the sundowner.
(2) My staff have
spoken to the president of the Commercial Egg Producers Association of Western Australia
and the managing director of Golden Eggs. My understanding is that although
selling fertilised eggs is not prohibited, the issue is that these eggs, likely
to be laid in a barn, may be repackaged and sold to unsuspecting consumers at a
premium price as free-range eggs. Although industry has some evidence
demonstrating fertilised eggs are sold in Western Australia, allegations that
these eggs, potentially laid in a barn, are repackaged and sold as free-range
eggs at a premium, requires further substantiation.
(3) At this time,
allegations have been made but further evidence is needed to substantiate these
allegations. As I have stated previously, I would encourage anyone with
specific information or related complaints to contact the Department of Mines,
Industry Regulation and Safety's Consumer Protection division, which in
conjunction with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has
responsibility for the investigation of alleged breaches of this legislation.
(4) Not applicable.
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