Egg producers to push limit

The producers, under the name FREPOSA 1500, or Free-Range Egg Producers of SA, are trying to use strength in numbers to even the playing field.

FREPOSA 1500 secretary Kathy Barrett, Katham Springs Biodynamic Free-Range Eggs, KI, said many producers had already communicated about their common cause, but this latest move would enable the group to speak in a unified voice.

She said the group had a lot of differences in their systems, but were all agreed that 1500 layer hens/ha was the right limit for free range.

"We're all quite happy with 1500/ha and believe that is within what consumers think free-range should be," she said.

"We're not trying to stop any other production system but we don't think they should use (the term) 'free -range'."

Mrs Barrett said one of the first objectives of the group was to continue to work with the state government as it developed a statewide free-range industry code.

The voluntary code would allow producers to display an SA Free-Range Egg Compliant logo in their marketing if they adhere to requirements, including unrestricted access to outdoor areas during daylight hours, adequate outdoor shelter, a prohibition on induced moulting, and a maximum density of 1500 hens/ha on outdoor ranges.

"We're really pleased with what the SA government has done," Mrs Barrett said.

She said the group hoped the code could be introduced in the next six months.

"They need to trademark the logo, so that takes time," she said.

She said several members of FREPOSA 1500 had previously united to develop a marketing logo on their egg cartons, stating they were free-range producers with hens at a density of less than 1500.

The newly formed group was exploring a change to their logo to reflect their new name, but they might also wait for the introduction of the government's trademarked logo.

Another goal of the group was to work towards a national standard, something that did not exist.

"Realistically an enforceable national standard is what has to happen," Mrs Barrett said.

She said there would be a meeting in NSW in June of state and national consumers affairs ministers to consider the matter. The only codes in place were in the ACT with 1500 hens/ha for free-range producers, and Qld with a standard of 10,000/ha.

The Australian Egg Corporation Ltd had recommended a limit of 20,000/ha. Voting rights are based on producers' number of hens.

Mrs Barrett said this could mean "smaller voices'' were lost, something FREPOSA 1500 was hoping to combat by banding together.