Policy forum

Notes from the egg industry Policy Forum 
23 November 2007

Stocking Densities

Egg producers re-affirmed the policy position considered during the 2nd policy session in June 2007 on the relative stocking densities for all three recognised production systems as they relate to the implementation of the 4th edition of the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals - Domestic Poultry.

Policy suggestion:
  • The industry policy position is to ensure all cages, no matter their age or location by stocked at 550cm2 from January 2008 as a minimum requirement.

Egg production systems definitions

Consideration was given to the definitions of the various production systems in commerical operation. This issue has been a significant issue associated with truth-in-labelling of eggs. To date, AECL has had the position of ensuring a simple but recognisable definition for all three production systems thereby allowing egg producers to build on the ‘vanilla' definition to differentiate their brand in the market place.

AECL is to undertake consumer research in this area  to seek feedback from consumers about their understanding of production systems and the names that they would subscribe to such systems.

Policy suggestion:
  • AECL and egg producers to provide consistent information to consumers about production systems.
  • AECL to ensure only a very simple definition that is distinguishable and maintained thereby empowering egg producers to build equity into their brand over time if they so wish.

Free range accreditation

There seems to be a degree of confusion among consumers regarding the different accreditation bodies associated with the production of free range operations with two different standards.

The rationale here is to streamline the accreditation of free range systems among what is a small segment within a relatively small industry within the food sector. AECL has Egg Corp Assured (ECA) that has a standard for free range egg production in the line with the broad definition of free range mirrored in the 4th edition of the Model Code of Practice.

Policy suggestion:
  • AECL endeavour to seek one national accreditation body for free range eggs thereby providing one endorsement to consumers as it pertains to free range eggs.

Egg traceability

The rise and rise of food borne illness being traced back to egg has prompted governments and industry to determine ways of minimising risk and tracing the source of the food borne illness outbreak. This will also assist to target those practitioners that are not following approved safety procedures on-farm and negate disenfranchising those egg producers who do not instil best management practice into their farming and operating procedures.

Egg stamping has recently been adopted as the preferred method of tracing eggs to the source of origin and the members in attendance at the policy session endorsed this method. It was also mandated in Queensland and is now being considered by the Primary Production and Processing standard for eggs by FSANZ, the national standard setting body.

Policy suggestion:
  • AECL continues to promote the stamping of eggs.
  • AECL undertake a small R&D project aimed at determining what egg stamping technologies are being used throughout the global egg industry and assess the relative strengths and weakness of the technology.

PGIO contracts

These were introduced and a brief was given regarding the status of the contracts being developed.

Training review

A review of training needs in the poultry industry was being conducted in Victoria. It was suggested that all training development should be co-ordinated through the Poultry CRC as one of its core program areas is training and education in the poultry industries.

Layer Hen Housing

Suggestions that the industry needs to now focus on the next revision of the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals (Domestic Poultry) due in 2010. The industry negotiated and agreed to implement the 4th edition of the Code by 2008 and walking away from this agreement could compromise industry credibility in future negotiations.

Renewed Animal Welfare group pressure predicted in 2008 could backfire on egg producers if there is not an orderly progression to the standards set in the 4th edition of the Code. Any industry lobbying, or media activity that shows cage producers not implementing the new code from 1 January 2008 could anger the public, make retailers nervous, and possibly force Government to ban cages in the next iteration of the Code.

There was general agreement that egg producers "must remain faithful to our promises" made at ARMCANZ 2001.

Policy suggestion:
  • AECL and egg producers to continue discussion and negotiation with governments to ensure legislative consistency and certainty across all jurisdictions 
  • AECL to encourage egg producers to implement the 4th edition of the Code by 1 January 2008 
  • AECL to prepare for animal rights campaigns due in 2008

Production Systems

It was suggested that there was no need for more detailed definitions than those already contained in the Code of Practice. Sufficient legislation exists to protect consumers from false and misleading labelling or advertising.

Policy suggestion:
  • AECL to encourage labelling consistent with relevant laws and codes 
  • AECL and egg producers to provide consistent information to consumers about production systems

AI Vaccination

It was suggested that vaccination against Avian Influenza was not required in commercial poultry flocks. AI is not currently present in Australia and good biosecurity practices are now in place across the industry to protect against the incursion of the disease into commercial flocks. Best practice quarantine and disease eradication procedures are currently in place to deal with any outbreak scenario.

Policy suggestion:
  • At this time, vaccination against AI is not deemed necessary

Egg Storage and Transport

It was suggested that consumers were demanding improved and consistent egg quality and that this could only be achieved through uniform implementation across the egg production and distribution chain. An industry position on egg storage and transport was required so that storage temperatures could be consistent across the chain - thus maintaining egg quality and limiting ullage issues.

At the moment, eggs should not be stored or transported above 20˚C. It was suggested that this should come down to at least 15˚C ±3˚ over the medium term. This required further investigation from a food safety and quality perspective, but the industry must take the leadership role in ensuring a better, more consistent approach was taken in relation to egg storage and transport in Australia

Policy suggestion:
  • AECL to investigate the ideal temperature for egg storage, which maximises egg quality but recognises industry and retail limitations, through the AECL Egg Quality Program 
  • AECL to provide leadership in ensuring compliance with new egg storage and transport guidelines across the supply chain.