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FACT SHEET
Egg Labelling and Sale Bill 2013
Many Tasmanian consumers are concerned about the welfare
of animals and choose to buy free range eggs in preference to
eggs produced by hens living in cages or barns. As a result, the
demand for free-range eggs in Australia has increased steadily
over the last decade.
Free-range eggs now comprise about 27% of the national
market; a significant increase from around 15% in 2005. This
increase in demand has occurred even though the cost of `free-
range' eggs is generally higher than the cost of cage or barn laid
eggs
Much of the increased demand is attributed to consumer
concerns about animal welfare, however there remains a
degree of uncertainty for consumers about the definition of
free-range. This is compounded by the labelling and marketing
of eggs, which has the potential to mislead consumers.
While general consumer laws prohibit misleading
representations in commerce, there is no agreed, mandated or
universal definition of the terms `cage', `barn' or `free-range',
which makes successful prosecution for misleading claims very
difficult.
To ensure that accurate information is available to support
consumer choice, the Tasmanian Government has drafted
legislation that sets out certain requirements in relation to
packaging and retail signage for eggs sold in Tasmania.
The proposed legislation affects the advertising of whole eggs in
the State. There are two key elements to the Bill:
All cartons or containers of eggs produced and sold in
Tasmania will be required to be labelled either "free
range", "barn laid" or "cage" eggs in letters not less than
6mm high.
Any retailer who has a display of eggs for sale that
exceeds two metres in length (one or more shelves
combined) is required to separate the eggs into the three
categories and clearly indicate which eggs are from each
production system.
The legislation has been drafted so as to align with definitions
and standards already accepted within the industry.
Not-for-profit associations as well as producers with a
maximum of 20 hens are exempt from the carton labelling
requirements. While the retail signage obligations only apply to
retailers if the total length of their display surface for the eggs is
two metres or more.
In essence, the Bill aims to ensure consumers can easily identify
the egg production system from which any carton of eggs
originates, thereby enabling them to make informed purchasing
decisions.