Our advocacy has continued for an earlier transition from battery caged eggs to cage-free systems. With a new state government after the October 2024 election, we wrote to the Minister for Primary Industries requesting their position and an update on the transition.

The following response in italics has now been received from the minister, which outlines the phase-out of conventional cages for egg production is by 2036 which remains unchanged, with seventy-five per cent of Queensland egg producers having already transitioned away from conventional cages.

The Queensland Government is committed to setting and enforcing the highest standards that protect the welfare of all animals in Queensland and meet community expectations. The standards and guidelines provide the basis for harmonised poultry welfare regulations across Australia. They are being implemented at the state and territory level, having regard to specific operational environments within each jurisdiction.

The standards and guidelines cover all aspects of poultry welfare and include a phase-out of conventional cages for egg production by 2036. With seventy-five per cent of Queensland egg producers having already transitioned away from conventional cages, Queensland is in a strong position to meet the phase-out timeline.

The Department of Primary Industries will continue to work with stakeholders as legislative amendments are developed to implement the standards as mandatory requirements, and to integrate the guidelines into industry best practice. Further information about the standards and guidelines is published on the Animal Welfare Task Group’s website at www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/animal/welfare/standards-guidelines/poultry.

We encourage residents to email their views directly to the Minister for Primary Industries via primaryindustries@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please cc us in at noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response you receive.

Further information

For our previous Noosa 360 updates about poultry welfare standards, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=poultry+welfare