Hello fellow Aussies,
I feel quite strongly about this topic and wanted to share it with you, especially since it will affect us all in this country if it is implemented.
To put it briefly, the current free range standard stipulates that a maximum of 1500 chickens can be kept on 1 hectare of land. 1 hectare is equivalent to 2.471 acres or 10,000 square metres to put this in perspective for you. The changes proposed are that this maximum number should be increased to 20,000 chickens per 1 hectare of land. To me it's just totally unacceptable. That is roughly 13 times the current number! I doubt there would be a blade of grass or a bug to find, let alone sufficient space for them to move on.
I agree wholeheartedly with the HSI because if these new standards are implemented, these eggs will no longer be free-range quality.
If any of you are concerned and willing to take action, please write in to the address/email provided.
I will copy-paste the reference here from the Humane Society International:
ACTION ALERT
Write to ACCC today to save free range hens from 20,000 stocking density
29th of May 2012
The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) has called for public comment on the proposed Egg Standard Australia, the controversial industry standard that would allow massive increases to the stocking densities of free range layer hens and change how we farm free range eggs in Australia.
This is a one off opportunity to put an end to the industrialization of free range egg production! Don't miss it.
You can download the ACCC letter here: http://www.hsi.org.au/editor/assets...sted parties re consultation - 23.05.2012.pdf
Your Guide to Writing a Submission or Letter to the ACCC
Under the Trade Marks Act, an application for a Certification Trademark must first have its Rules and Standards examined by the ACCC to satisfy them that the applicant meets the technical requirements of the Act and not raise consumer protection, competition or associated concerns.
You will have to show the ACCC on what grounds that they should deny this application. To do this, you will need to describe how AECL (Australian Egg Corporation Limited) would affect consumer and producer rights and perhaps considerations of the Trade Marks Act.
Animal welfare will not come into this discussion. This is purely about what effect the proposed standards may have on consumer expectations and whether producers or other parties may be disadvantaged by these standards.
Consumers
As a consumer, you could simply explain to the ACCC what your expectations are when you purchase free range eggs and perhaps your concerns that these eggs will become unavailable if this new standard defines free range for the entire industry and puts small producers out of business. Tell the ACCC the picture you have in your mind of what free range means and what you expect when you buy a carton of eggs labelled as free range.
You can download an example of a letter here: http://www.hsi.org.au/editor/assets/ACCC comment consumer example.pdf
Producers
AECL is the peak industry body that is supposed to represent all egg producers. Unfortunately the organization is structured so that the biggest producers have all the voting rights and control of AECL. The smaller true free range producer has no real input to industry decisions.
True free range producers need all the help they can muster to help stop the intensification of the free range industry for them, for you and most importantly, for the hens.
Send your comments to:
The General Manager Adjudication Branch
ACCC
GPO Box 3131
CANBERRA ACT 2601
or send an email to: [email protected]
Closing Date: 20th June 2012
Cheers,
Gold Coaster
I feel quite strongly about this topic and wanted to share it with you, especially since it will affect us all in this country if it is implemented.
To put it briefly, the current free range standard stipulates that a maximum of 1500 chickens can be kept on 1 hectare of land. 1 hectare is equivalent to 2.471 acres or 10,000 square metres to put this in perspective for you. The changes proposed are that this maximum number should be increased to 20,000 chickens per 1 hectare of land. To me it's just totally unacceptable. That is roughly 13 times the current number! I doubt there would be a blade of grass or a bug to find, let alone sufficient space for them to move on.
I agree wholeheartedly with the HSI because if these new standards are implemented, these eggs will no longer be free-range quality.
If any of you are concerned and willing to take action, please write in to the address/email provided.
I will copy-paste the reference here from the Humane Society International:
ACTION ALERT
Write to ACCC today to save free range hens from 20,000 stocking density
29th of May 2012
The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) has called for public comment on the proposed Egg Standard Australia, the controversial industry standard that would allow massive increases to the stocking densities of free range layer hens and change how we farm free range eggs in Australia.
This is a one off opportunity to put an end to the industrialization of free range egg production! Don't miss it.
You can download the ACCC letter here: http://www.hsi.org.au/editor/assets...sted parties re consultation - 23.05.2012.pdf
Your Guide to Writing a Submission or Letter to the ACCC
Under the Trade Marks Act, an application for a Certification Trademark must first have its Rules and Standards examined by the ACCC to satisfy them that the applicant meets the technical requirements of the Act and not raise consumer protection, competition or associated concerns.
You will have to show the ACCC on what grounds that they should deny this application. To do this, you will need to describe how AECL (Australian Egg Corporation Limited) would affect consumer and producer rights and perhaps considerations of the Trade Marks Act.
Animal welfare will not come into this discussion. This is purely about what effect the proposed standards may have on consumer expectations and whether producers or other parties may be disadvantaged by these standards.
Consumers
As a consumer, you could simply explain to the ACCC what your expectations are when you purchase free range eggs and perhaps your concerns that these eggs will become unavailable if this new standard defines free range for the entire industry and puts small producers out of business. Tell the ACCC the picture you have in your mind of what free range means and what you expect when you buy a carton of eggs labelled as free range.
You can download an example of a letter here: http://www.hsi.org.au/editor/assets/ACCC comment consumer example.pdf
Producers
AECL is the peak industry body that is supposed to represent all egg producers. Unfortunately the organization is structured so that the biggest producers have all the voting rights and control of AECL. The smaller true free range producer has no real input to industry decisions.
True free range producers need all the help they can muster to help stop the intensification of the free range industry for them, for you and most importantly, for the hens.
Send your comments to:
The General Manager Adjudication Branch
ACCC
GPO Box 3131
CANBERRA ACT 2601
or send an email to: [email protected]
Closing Date: 20th June 2012
Cheers,
Gold Coaster
