Free range crackdown

EGGS sold as free range will have to be laid by hens that have “meaningful and regular” outdoor access, under laws to be introduced later this year.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission yesterday released its guidance for egg producers ahead of the new National Information Standard on free range eggs, which comes into effect on April 26.

Egg producers could call their products free-range only if the hens had meaningful and regular access to an outdoor range during the daylight hours of the laying cycle, ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.