Greens Introduce Free Range Egg Bill in South Australia
AUSTRALIA - The South Australian Greens are teaming with the Liberal Party in an attempt to define what is and is not a free–range egg.The Greens will introduce legislation into the South Australian upper house this afternoon, reports ABC.
The same legislation was introduced to the lower house last week by Liberal MP Michael Pengilly.
It would make it illegal to sell eggs as free range, if the eggs come from a farm which has more than 1,500 birds per hectare.
The legislation has to pass both houses, and the state's Labor Government is still making up its mind if it will support the proposed legislation.
Industry body, The Egg Corporation, wants the free–range standard to be 20,000 birds per hectare.
South Australian Agriculture Minister, Gail Gago, says the Egg Corporation's proposal is too high.
"My personal view is that is out of touch with public expectations, she says.
Most members of the public baulk at that, the thought of 20,000 hens per hectare being considered free range."
The Egg Corporation says its proposal is based on scientific and economic research.
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