Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the voluntary national Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Domestic Poultry designates a maximum outdoor stocking density of 1 500 free range layer hens per hectare yet this is not enforceable and relies on self regulation,

(ii) there is no consistent state government move to legislate a maximum of 1 500 hens per hectare, with only New South Wales, Tasmanian, Western Australian and South Australian governments currently considering bills to do so,

(iii) while an overdue review by the Primary Industries Ministerial Council of the Domestic Poultry Code has finally begun, it is years from completion and implementation, and

(iv) the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has made free range eggs one of seven priority areas for 2013, noting consumers want clear and accurate labelling of eggs; and

(b) calls on the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Senator Ludwig) to work with state and territory governments to implement mandatory, nationally consistent truth in labelling laws covering production methods in the egg industry.