Queensland stocking density decision is pathetic

The Queensland Government's decision to amend the Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2012 to allow and allow greater stocking densities for free range layer hens is a complete cave-in to Coles supermarket and corporate egg preoducers.

The regulation previously limited stocking density to 1,500 birds per hectare a step taken some years ago to enforce a major provision of the Model Code. It argues that  other states allow higher densities and this placed Queensland egg farmers at a disadvantage.

They've done OK for the past ten years or so and there are plenty of free range egg farms across Australia operating very successfully with maximum stocking rates under 1500 hens per hectare.

The consumer group Choice has a petition running aimed at getting the Queensland Government to revert to its previous regulation.
http://choice.good.do/save-free-range-in-qld/email-queensland-s-premier-and-minister-for-agriculture-fisheries-and-forestry/