General News
14 September, 2022
VFF fear cage call
PROPOSED new animal welfare regulations for poultry could be founded on public opinion or perception, the Victorian Farmers’ Federation said. The VFF said it had concerns for ramifications of the Commonwealth regulations, including the proposed...
PROPOSED new animal welfare regulations for poultry could be founded on public opinion or perception, the Victorian Farmers’ Federation said.
The VFF said it had concerns for ramifications of the Commonwealth regulations, including the proposed phasing out of conventional caged systems by 2036.
“We are concerned the proposed standards have been founded on mere opinion and public perception, rather than actual and objective science surrounding animal welfare,” the VFF said.
According to the VFF, the most significant changes in the standards and guidelines made by the independent panel include:
A phase-out of conventional layer hen cages over 10 to 15 years (at the latest by 2036), depending on the age of current infrastructure.
A requirement to provide environmental enrichment for meat chicken breeders.
Changes to the minimum light intensity and required periods of darkness, ventilation, and temperature parameters for all species.
Options also allow for introduction of the proposed standards as compulsory and the guidelines as voluntary, with an extended phase out period allowing the use of conventional cages until 2046.
The VFF has requested meetings with the Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Agriculture Victoria to discuss the options available to government and to industry.
Each state and territory is considering implementation options during 2022, with further discussions by all agricultural ministers in early 2023.