We Won’t Tolerate Bad Eggs

Licensed Producers: We Won’t Tolerate Bad Eggs

New Zealand’s egg producers say they’re appalled by reports of animal cruelty on an illegal egg farm in South Auckland.

News footage broadcast on TV1 on Saturday (January 13) showed neglected layer hens struggling in poor conditions on a property housing an unauthorised caged hen operation.

The footage was reportedly captured by animal activists.

The governing body for egg producers is the Egg Producers Federation (EPF) of New Zealand. EPF Executive Director, Michael Brooks says his members are shocked and angry by what they saw.

“The appalling state of the property and its birds would never be tolerated by our members,” he says.

“It is important for consumers to know the man at the centre of the complaints is not a licensed egg producer. He is an illegal operator, acting outside the control of the EPF.”

“This property has no Risk Management Programme so it is not legally permitted to even sell eggs.”

Mr Brooks says the industry was already aware of the illegal operation. The EPF had reported it to MAF Animal Welfare and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.

Mr Brooks says eggs from the illegal operation should not be on sale in New Zealand shops and supermarkets. Most retail outlets buy their eggs from only licensed egg producers.

“New Zealand consumers can be reassured that this footage is an unacceptable but isolated case.

“Our members are completely committed to animal welfare.”

“We do not support anyone found to be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act. In fact we haven’t had to - none of our members has been prosecuted for breaching the Layer Hen Welfare Code.”

“The industry will continue to support any moves to force illegal operators out of business.”

ENDS

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