Australia could face an egg-free Christmas

Australia is facing an egg shortage in the lead up to Christmas as a result of the October outbreak of bird flu on two NSW poultry farms.

The destruction of about 450,000 chickens near Young in the south-west NSW in recent weeks has resulted in a national shortage that is already leading to price increases as demand rises in the lead up to Christmas.

Late last month, Hong Kong temporarily suspended imports of Australian poultry products after the outbreaks. At the time, the Federal Agriculture Minister, Barnaby Joyce, also claimed there would more avian influenza outbreaks and more chicken deaths if there is an increase in free-range egg production.

The Humane Society International (HSI), however, has said his comments were ill informed, and inaccurate.

“The facts are simple – approximately 450,000 birds were destroyed as a result of the flu outbreak and the majority were caged hens,” the HSI said.

Eggs, meat and poultry products in Australia are safe to eat, according to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Predictions are that the egg shortage could last between six months and a year.