The AECL enthusiastically support the review of penalties for egg producers who fail to comply with cage housing standards, announced by the Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, on 27 June.

The Australian egg industry is proud of the innovation and advancement that has taken place within the majority of the industry in recent years, and does not support illegal operators who choose not to upgrade their facilities, while others have made significant capital investments to do so.

"Most egg farms in Australia reflect a modern, progressive and clean environment, that encourage best practice on farm for their animals, staff and facilities. These establishments no longer reflect the images that are commonly broadcast in the media, and AECL is eager to wipe out any association the general public may have with these images," said James Kellaway, the Managing Director of AECL.

The AECL has applauds this move by the Department of Primary Industries, and anticipates that harsher penalties for non-compliance to the national standards will be an additional incentive for unlawful egg producers to leave the industry or modernise their facilities.