Small egg producers have reason for optimism

Keep the Pressure on Egg Rules

The Tasmanian Greens today renewed calls for the Minister for Primary Industries to ensure small-scale and backyard egg producers were not unfairly impacted by new federal industry standards.

Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP today tabled a Motion[1] calling for new regulations to be introduced to ensure small egg producers with up to 50 chooks or other avian species were exempt from onerous, costly and unnecessary regulations that will come into play on 26 November 2013.

“I have been in discussion with the Minister’s office and I believe he is committed to ensuring that small egg producers are not unfairly impacted by federal industry standards,” Mr Booth said.

“This regulation would unnecessarily hamper our burgeoning local food culture that is driven by small producers as well as place ridiculous, unenforceable legislative requirements on anyone that has a chook.”

“Customers who buy directly from farmers in places like farmers markets hold them to the highest standards of animal welfare, food safety and biosecurity and small producers.”

“Regulations such as these remove the basic fundamental freedom of families to barter surplus eggs from their backyard flock and is just simply unacceptable overregulation.”

“I congratulate stakeholders for campaigning for their industry and all those who signed the petition for advocating for Tasmania’s vibrant local food culture.”

“I look forward to seeing sensible regulation introduced in the very near future.”

NOTICE OF MOTION

TUESDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2013
Kim Booth MP on tomorrow to move –

That this House;
1. Congratulates the 6886 signatories who have signed a petition calling on the Minister for Primary Industries to exempt small egg producers from onerous and unnecessary regulations;
2. Notes that unless immediate action is taken, people with a few chooks scratching around in their backyard will be breaking the law after November 26 if they sell a few eggs to their neighbours without first obtaining a licence, lodging a Food Safety Plan, then paying to have that plan audited until finally stamping every individual egg;
3. Acknowledges that customers who buy directly from farmers in places like farmers markets hold them to the highest standards of animal welfare, food safety and biosecurity;
4. Acknowledges the vision and commitment of Tasmania’s small producers who are driving Tasmania’s burgeoning local food culture, which underpins our unique clean, green brand;
5. Recognises that Victoria has already passed an exemption for small producers who have less than 50 chooks, which sets an example for a workable and satisfactory model;
6. Notes that the Minister has stated that he will fulfil the commitment he made in 2011 during debate of the Primary Producers Safety Bill to consult with small egg producers to ensure regulation is fair and sensible;
7. Calls on the Minister for Primary Industries to ensure:
a. Meaningful consultation is undertaken with small egg producers as committed to in 2011; and
b. New regulations are introduced to ensure that come 26 November 2013 small egg producers with up to 50 chooks or other avian species are exempt from onerous, costly and unnecessary regulations.
Kim Booth MP Greens Primary Industries Spokesperson