DESPITE a proposal to define the term free-range, a Dubbo farmer believes more attention should be paid to the welfare of the birds who give shoppers fresh ingredients.
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Egg labelling has become a contentious issue after the Australian Egg Corporation devised a new standard that would allow a free-range egg farm to have as many as 20,000 chickens per hectare, something farmer Ben Davis said needed to be analysed further.
A push to increase the number of birds per hectare, he said, could mean suppliers from China and the United Kingdom knocking on Australia’s door.
“In hindsight, as long as the welfare of the birds is maintained, a new definition for free-range would be a benefit to anybody in the industry,” he said.
He said using local produce is a good thing for a city like Dubbo.
“The most important thing to remember is that we’re out promoting good local produce, which means looking after the well-being of animals in general.”
Mr Davis, of Davis Free Range Eggs, has been in operation with his father Mark for the last 12 months, and had been supplying local IGA supermarkets, butcher shops and, primarily, Paradise Fresh, a wholesale supplier on Douglas Mawson Drive.
“Our business hinges around using fresh produce, and supporting local businesses who continually use fresh products to sell to the public.
“Paradise Fresh and the Short Street Cafe are two of our biggest wholesalers, as they support the use of fresh products in local businesses.”
As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, free-range farmers and animal welfare groups were outraged by the new standard, which they said was unethical and would not give consumers any confidence in the free-range industry, with the present model code allowing 1500 chickens per hectare.
Spokeswoman from consumer group Choice, Ingrid Just, warned NSW shoppers about the dispute over how free-range eggs should be correctly labelled
She said Choice had requested to participate in the name change discussion but was locked out.
“Our main concern is that consumers’ voices will not be heard and without any consumer representation at this forum, it will be very hard for the minister to get an idea of what consumers expect when purchasing free-range,” Ms Just said.
