Hard time for egg producer

A PITTSWORTH egg producer has gone into voluntary administration, with the advisory firm concerned for the welfare of its hens.

Cor Cordis announced on Friday it has been appointed voluntary administrators of Darling Downs Fresh Eggs.

The family-owned business has provided farm-fresh eggs for more than 16 years.

Cor Cordis partners Darryl Kirk and Bruno Secatore have started investigating the financial position of Queensland’s third largest egg supplier.

“We’ll be looking to assess interested parties for both licensing of the business operations and ultimately sale of the business assets and/or parties looking to recapitalise the company through a Deed of Company Arrangement,” Mr Kirk said.

“In the meantime, it is business as usual for Darling Downs Fresh Eggs while we investigate and negotiate with prospective suitors for the business.

“Our immediate concern is for the welfare of the hens and we are undertaking the necessary steps to see their needs are catered for.”

Darling Downs Fresh Eggs made headlines in 2015 when it had to pay a hefty fine of $250,000 for purposely mislabelled its eggs as free range.

The Federal Court ruled that Darling Downs Fresh Eggs’ company RL Adams Pty made misleading representations to consumers from December 2013 to October 2014.

Mr Kirk said the firm was not in a position to specify why the group entered administration.

“It appears that the business has suffered from a number of serious events that have affected its capacity to produce eggs,” he said.

“Efforts to rebuild the bird stock to a critical mass have not materialised in time to prevent the necessity for the voluntary administration.”