Page 291 - Week 01 - Thursday, 14 February 2019
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That is a big difference from 10,000. As you can see, when it comes to animal welfare, we have much higher standards.
Unfortunately, we need to be consistent with the federal legislation and ensure our labelling laws are consistent with the new mandatory commonwealth standard. Although we are unhappy with this federal change, we want to make it clear that our standards are much higher.
Of course I am supporting this bill today. This bill includes an extra provision that paves the way for new signage to better inform Canberra shoppers weighing up their choices.
Under these changes, all retailers selling free-range eggs across Canberra will be required to display a sign that clearly states that the ACT government supports a maximum stocking density of 1,500 hens per hectare. The bill also amends the eggs act to mirror the commonwealth information standard requirement of clearly displaying the stocking density of free-range eggs on packaging. This means that shoppers will be able to easily compare the stocking density that is listed on a carton of eggs with the ACT government’s preferred stocking density limit. These are simple changes, but ones that will make it easier for consumers to make an informed decision in line with their own ethical values.
This government is a long-time advocate of more humane stocking densities. We are not the only ones. The CSIRO, CHOICE, and the RSPCA are just a few of the organisations that support a standard of no more than 1,500 hens per hectare when it comes to the production of free-range eggs. Many of my constituents share the same standards. My office has received countless emails from residents concerned about the federal changes to egg labelling, Canberrans who care deeply about the welfare of the hens laying our eggs. Although we would prefer much stricter conditions for the labelling of eggs as free range, we are doing what we can within the federal limitations to uphold our commitment here to animal welfare.
This is a government that cares about the treatment of hens and cares about the consumers who are trying to do the right thing at the checkout and at the dinner table. The Consumer Protection Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 will go some way to improving the information available to consumers purchasing eggs throughout Canberra. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Minister for Corrections and Justice Health, Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety and Minister for Mental Health) (4.37), in reply: ACT consumers deserve accurate and clear information to help them make informed decisions when purchasing everyday staple goods.
The Consumer Protection Legislation Amendment Bill was developed in response to our concern that overlapping regulation of free-range eggs and gaps in the regulation of fuel price boards are confusing ACT consumers and are barriers to their making informed decisions when purchasing these items.
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