South Melbourne Market is banning the sale and use of all caged hen eggs by its traders as part of its 'We Care about the Chicken and the Egg' campaign.
The market says the ban, which kickstarts on 1 December, is about taking a stand on humane food production.
From that time, no trader at the market will be permitted to sell caged hen eggs or use them in recipes at restaurants or cafes.
Additionally, traders will be required to clearly label ‘bird densities’ as well as identify products as barn-laid, free-range or organic.
While the concept of ‘bird density’ may yet be unknown to some shoppers, the market has identified it as one of the ways to convey to customers the potential quality of free-range systems.
In the absence of national labelling standards for cage free eggs, it says, there exists a suite of criteria and certification schemes which aim to promote products that support the humane treatment of animals.
The maximum number of birds allowed in outdoor spaces can therefore differ greatly between the various cage-free egg guidelines.
For instance, the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Domestic Poultry, a voluntary national guide to the poultry industry, designates a maximum outdoor stocking density of 1500 birds per hectare for free-range layer hens.
The Free Range Farmer’s Association (Victoria) stipulates 750 birds per hectare, while the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme states between 1500 and 2500 birds per hectare for fixed and rotational farming methods respectively.
In contrast, the maximum limit adopted by some large supermarkets for their own brand of ‘free-range’ eggs is 10,000 birds per hectare.
“It’s important to us at South Melbourne Market to be committed to animal welfare principles. Our discerning shoppers want to make informed purchasing decisions and be offered clear and consistent labelling,” says market manager, Ross Williamson.
“We are proud to be leading the way in what, we believe, should be the ethical standard for all egg sellers nationwide.”
Other labelling projects at the market include a review of ‘country of origin’ labelling, and the auditing of organic and free-range claims on other produce.
