Proposed amendments for the code of practice for egg and hatching egg production are open for comment until May 26.
The National Farm Animal Care Council said they are the result of consultations with stakeholders.
For example, the proposal for flooring for pullets is:
“Flooring must be designed, constructed, and maintained in a manner that supports the birds’ feet and does not contribute to trapping, injuries, or deformities to the birds’ legs, feet, and/or toes.
Housing system floors must be designed and maintained to prevent manure from birds in upper levels from dropping on birds enclosed directly below.
Existing flow-through pullet cage systems must be replaced by January 1, 2020.”
There are standards for minimum space, the provision of perches for chicks, for feed and water, temperatures, lighting and even euthanasia.
There is no ban on cages, but there are minimum standards for caging birds.
