One hen per square meter -- Australia sets free range egg standard

What kind of eggs can be labeled free range eggs in Australian supermarkets? A new announcement by Australian Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer Kelly O'Dwyer on Thursday will help clarify all the confusion.

"Currently there is no single national definition of free range eggs," O'Dwyer said. "The new information standard for free range eggs will require hens to have meaningful and regular access to the outdoors, with outdoor stocking of no more than one hen per square metre (maximum 10,000 hens per hectare)."

Farmers of free range eggs will also be required to prominently disclose their outdoor stocking density of their hens, allowing consumers to easily choose their preference, she said.

"The new information standard also provides certainty for farmers which will help encourage innovation and investment in the industry."

The standard, aimed to provide better information for consumers, is established after O'Dwyer met with her State and Territory counterparts for the fourth Legislative and Governance Forum on Consumer Affairs.

"I am pleased we have been able to collaborate across state and territory borders to bring forward these reforms, which will help improve consumers'information and confidence when they purchase free range eggs," O'Dwyer said.

She said the standard was established following an extensive consultation process which began in October 2015 with nearly 10,000 consumers, farmers, retailers and advocacy groups providing input.

"Animal welfare issues relating to free range eggs will be considered as part of the review of the model code for poultry by Agriculture Ministers with public consultation beginning in September 2016," she said. Endit