Connecting Egg Production to consumers, supermarkets and exporters
Egg Production Systems and Consumers
Egg Farmers of Australia support cage, barn and free range egg production systems and believe that consumers should have the right to choose the eggs they wish to consume.
Egg Farmers of Australia believe that the consumer should drive demand of the eggs that they wish to eat and egg farmers will supply accordingly.
Cage Eggs – Produced from hens that are housed in cages inside large, climate-controlled sheds.
Barn Eggs – Also called cage-free eggs, are produced in a farming system that allows the hens to wander freely within a shed.
Free Range Eggs – Under Australian consumer law eggs labelled as ‘free range’ must come from hens that are able to roam and forage outdoors for at least eight hours each day. The maximum outdoor stocking density for free range egg farming is 10,000 hens per hectare of land or one hen per square metre.
Pasture – A type of free range egg production. Some consumers think that pasture eggs mean that hens eat only grass. The gut of a hen can not function on grass alone so although these hens may have access to pasture, their diet is built on grain.
To virtually visit a cage, barn or free range farm visit the link here. https://www.australianeggs.org.au/farming/tour
Supermarkets
Whilst supermarkets sell around 50% of the eggs produced nationally, there are also independent retailers, butchers and fruit markets that sell eggs. In addition to the trade of these avenues, there is also the box market. These are eggs sold to wholesalers or into catering services and restaurants.
Egg Farmers of Australia engage with supermarkets annually through either meetings or correspondence.
Export
Egg Farmers of Australia’s export brief outlining export for the previous year is updated annually.
The Australian egg industry has been viewed for many years as mainly a domestic industry but there are small amounts of export of shell egg and a larger volume of export pertaining to egg products and eggs to assist other nations flocks.
Strategic
Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry
EFA Members value bio-security, food safety and animal welfare husbandry. Below is information around Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines, currently being progressed through states.
| QLD, VIC, ACT, NT, SA,TAS | Australian Animal Welfare Standards & Guidelines | Under Consideration |
| NSW | Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act Further Standards and Guidelines | Current 1 December, 2025 Under Consideration |
| WA | Animal Welfare (Poultry) Regulations 2024 | Passed December, 2024 |
Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA)
The Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) is an agreement between industry groups to apportion disease response costs subsequent to disease outbreaks. Immediate responses are underwritten by the Federal Government, then paid back to the Federal Government through funds from industry levies subject to industry outbreak (egg, chicken meat, duck etc). Animal Health Australia apportions the costs based on industry gross production value.
In addition to the EADRA Deed, a poultry deed, represents agreement between the signatories regarding each respective industry’s policy for fair and reasonable compensation repayment terms.
Three industries are currently signatories of the EADRA Deed, and work closely together to ensure quick response to emergency disease situations – Egg, Chicken Meat, and Duck who joined in 2021.
Egg Farmers of Australia Strategic Plan
Egg Farmers of Australia’s strategic plan commenced in January, 2026.
The plan focuses on biosecurity, food safety and will take in policy work on other areas of regulation and legislation that impacts egg farmers. The communication and engagement with members and stakeholders is also paramount to the work that Egg Farmers of Australia undertakes.
Stakeholder Engagement
Engagement with Members
Egg Farmers of Australia is supported by members for members. Members of our organisation receive quarterly newsletters, e-updates on important topics, and staff touch base with members by phone and email. Egg Farmers of Australia work hard to provide value for money to our members and appreciate those members who pay levies in order to ensure a national body for egg farmers exists.
Members Quick Reference Guide
Members are provided with this quick reference guide outlining a range of useful information, contacts and policy positions of Egg Farmers of Australia. Provided annually from 2021, policy positions are updated prior to the commencement of each financial year and the guide is provided to new members or continuing members on renewal of their membership each July.
Engagement with Government
Egg Farmers of Australia engage with Federal and State Government Ministers, Policy Advisers, and government agencies regularly to progress industry policy and to receive updates from the government on disease outbreaks or policy work undertaken.
Egg Farmers of Australia are committed to providing a briefing to Advisers and Departmental staff once per year after receiving a copy of the latest Good Egg Guide (a handbook created for government officials assisting the egg industry).
Egg Farmers of Australia are committed to providing information to Advisers and Departmental staff. Annually, our organisation provides two 6 monthly updates and EFA factsheets to help those in government better understand the egg industry.
Government submissions
Egg Farmers of Australia provide submissions to the government and consider joint submissions with state farming organisations where appropriate.
Engagement with key stakeholders
Egg Farmers of Australia engage with other industry organisations including, but not limited to, the Australian Chicken Meat Federation and Australian Duck Meat Association as required.
Current Egg Industry issues
Environmental Sustainability
Egg Farmers of Australia (EFA) recognises that environmental sustainability and climate considerations are important to many consumers and communities.
EFA members operate in a diverse policy and climate environment and are committed to managing their environmental impact in ways that are practical, evidence-based and economically sustainable. Farmers are implementing initiatives aligned with their individual business plans, including energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy adoption such as solar, land stewardship practices, and the use of tools to better understand carbon footprints. Some members are producing carbon neutral eggs.
Environmental management on egg farms also supports hen welfare. Investments such as shade structures and environmentally controlled sheds help protect hens from extreme weather and maintain consistent welfare standards.
EFA members are committed to:
- Producing affordable, high-quality protein for Australian families
- Maintaining high standards of animal welfare
- Managing land responsibly to support free-range systems and long-term productivity
- Ensuring farms remain economically viable so they can continue to invest in sustainability initiatives
EFA supports practical, well-planned policy settings that enable farmers to meet environmental expectations while maintaining affordable egg production for consumers.
Egg Stamping exemptions
Traceability is an important aspect of egg farming for farmers, retailers and consumers.
Egg Farmers of Australia believe that eggs for consumption should be stamped.
Egg Farmers have raised the issue with the three state governments (NSW, VIC and TAS) that permit egg exemptions where stamps are not required to be stamped.
In NSW if a farmer has less than 240 eggs per week (less than 50 layers and only sell directly from farm gate or use for fundraising purposes where the eggs will be cooked) the farmer is exempt from stamping.
In Victoria, again less than 50 layers and 240 eggs per week, an exemption.
Tasmanian farmers with less than 20 dozen a week and only supplying to work colleagues, friends and family an exemption is permitted.
Following the soon to be announced FSANZ Review, Egg Farmers of Australia will be requesting that a recommendation be made that state exemptions not be permitted and that all eggs be stamped.
Traceability
Many industries have had traceability systems in place for many years. Egg Farmer of Australia support the Australian Eggs traceability tools to ensure that all egg farmers have accessibility to a system.
Traceability allows farmers to assess the source of any problems and take steps to prevent the spread of disease and may help in the event of a product recall.
For updates on the increased traceability tools, please visit https://www.australianeggs.org.au/for-farmers/traceability
Biosecurity
Egg Farmers of Australia undertake a range of egg industry biosecurity coordination activities with Animal Health Australia on behalf of Australian Eggs.
Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza and H5 Avian Influenza are major threats to the Australian egg industry.
Egg Farmers of Australia in conjunction with Australian Eggs developed an AI checklist for farms.
https://www.australianeggs.org.au/dms/4598-Avian-Influenza-checklist.pdf
In the event of an Avian Influenza Disease Response, Egg Farmers of Australia are committed to liaising with Australian Eggs in order to ensure that industry support can be made available to the control centre.
Communication with Livestock Liaison Industry (LLI) Officers is provided through emails twice yearly.
Egg Farmers of Australia have developed an AI communication plan and continue to work with organisations such as the Federal Government and ACCC to discuss progress that can be made to assist in an incident.
Currently a longer housing order is being considered due to the risk that multiple incidences and locations could be impacted by AI due to the increased cases on a global level.
(Selling of End of Lay) Spent Hens Policy
Traceability to enable biosecurity measures pertaining to the on-selling of end of lay (spent hens) is paramount to reducing the risk of disease in the movement of hens. For this reason, Egg Farmers of Australia acknowledges that some egg farmers on-sell end of lay (spent hens) and in doing so are encouraged to adhere to the recommendations of The National Farm Biosecurity Technical Manual for Egg Production, specifically, clause 4.4.2 states that “A record of bird movements must be maintained to facilitate tracing in case of an animal health or food safety concern.”
Traceable records of the sale, including date, address, and contacts of the person to whom they were sold are crucial so that if there is a food safety, animal health or other related incident, the movements of the birds can be rapidly traced, and the situation resolved as quickly as possible.
References:
The National Farm Biosecurity Technical Manual for Egg Production manual can be found online at: https://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/National-Farm-Biosecurity-Technical-Manual-for-Egg-Production1.pdf
Backyard Egg Producers
Egg Farmers of Australia understand that the number of backyard producers are increasing. For this reason, a backyard flyer has been developed with the aim of joint promotion with governments to provide further information in relation to the importance of backyard producers understanding their responsibilities as hen owners.
Movement of Hens Policy
The risk around the movement of hens is minimised through the biosecurity measures practiced by egg farmers to safeguard their farm against disease when hens are moved on and off farm.
Traceability of the movement of hens is recommended through record keeping as outlined in The National Farm Biosecurity Technical Manual for Egg Production.
Egg farmers provide care to hens and ensure that birds are transported in suitable vehicles that have consideration to climatic conditions such as providing ventilation and shade.
Governance and Planning
ACCC Competition and Consumer Act 2010
Egg Farmers of Australia commence all board meetings with noting the importance of compliance obligations under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
Egg Farmers of Australia Board of Directors adhere to the following protocols relating to commercially sensitive information and competition:
- no discussion surrounding restricting or limiting supply.
- no discussion of pricing;
- no discussion of dealings with customers, suppliers or other stakeholders;
- no cost sharing information; and
Egg Farmers of Australia Constitution
Egg Farmers of Australia’s constitution is available to members for viewing on the members only site.
Egg Farmers of Australia Directors and Nominees
Egg Farmers of Australia Directors and Nominees are to be ratified at the first meeting of the Board following the AGM.
Following the AGM of a State Farming Organisation Egg Committee/Egg Group, the name of the Director and Alternative Director who will represent the state is provided to Egg Farmers of Australia. The Director and Alternative Director for each state are advised to members at the EFA AGM meeting held each November.
98% of all farms are family owned and operated
Glossary
Access to water
A reasonable opportunity for poultry to be able to drink the water of suitable quality and quantity to maintain their hydration.
Animal Welfare
The state of an animal and how well it is coping with the conditions in which it lives.
Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry (S&G)
Standards once endorsed and legislated by all State & Territory governments are the legal requirements for livestock welfare and use the word ‘must’. The standards provide the basis for developing and implementing consistent legislation and enforcement across Australia.
The main decision-making principles used for developing the standards are to ensure the standards are:
- desirable for livestock welfare
- feasible for industry and government to implement
- important for the livestock-welfare regulatory framework
achieve the intended outcome for livestock welfare.
Aviary
A building for layer hens without conventional cages, similar to a barn but providing two or more floor levels, giving free access for all birds to all floors.
Barn Laid
A housing system in which birds are continuously housed in a shed.
Beak treatment
Beak treatment Treatment of the beak to stop cannibalism.
Bleeding Out
Loss of blood caused by cutting the major blood vessels, usually in the neck or at the base of the heart via the thoracic inlet.
Birds
Birds Chicks, chickens, pullets or layer hens.
Cage Systems
A housing system in which birds are continuously housed in cages within a shed.
Cannibalism
The practice by some birds of pecking and eating other members of the same flock.
Chicks
Poultry under 72 hours old, commonly known as day-old chicks, poults etc.
Claw Shortening Device
Abrasive device or flooring for scratching.
Colony Cage/ Furnished Cage
Colony Cage/ Furnished Cage A modified and enlarged cage environment with more space than conventional cages and with perching, nesting and dust bathing areas. A colony is sometimes also referred to as a furnished or enriched cage, or furnished or enriched colony.
Commercial Production
A business that engages in the breeding, sale or slaughter of poultry. Commercial production does not include poultry kept for personal use, such as backyard chickens or exhibition poultry.
Controlled Environment Housing
A housing system where the operator can control temperature, air quality and light.
Conventional cage
A metal enclosure containing two to nine birds. These cages do not include a perch, a nest box or a dust bathing area.
Egg Production Phase
The period between the point of lay and the cessation of egg laying. This may be seasonal.
Enrichments
Materials and structures provided to meet the behavioural needs of poultry, which can help to minimise the development of abnormal behaviours.
Firefighting Equipment
Is equipment that can be used to detect and prevent the spread of fire including water sprinklers/misters, smoke alarms, hoses and portable fire extinguishers.
Flock
A number of birds of the same origin (genotype) age and managed in the same way.
Free range
A housing system in which birds are continuously housed in a shed and have access to the outdoors.
Hen
A female after the first moult. It is often used to describe females after they have started to lay.
Incubator
The machine used to incubate and artificially hatch fertile eggs.
Layer
A female in lay. Usually used to refer to females kept solely for egg production for human consumption.
Laying Chickens
Laying chickens (Gallus gallus) reared, kept and managed for egg production, but do not include birds being reared and managed for purposes of breeding laying chickens.
Model Code of Practice
The model code of practice is a guide for people responsible for the welfare and husbandry of domestic poultry. It recognises that the basic requirement for welfare of poultry is a husbandry system appropriate to their physiological and behavioural needs. Farmers work to this code of practice while awaiting the endorsement of the Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry.
Nest area
Provides poultry with adequate space, separation from cohorts and the opportunity for laying in a darkened, secluded area.
Non-cage systems
Housing systems in which birds are not continuously confined in a cage and may include access to an outdoor area.
Perch
Perch An elevated structure for birds to roost off the ground.
Point of lay
When a sexually mature hen starts laying.
Pop hole
An opening that provides birds with access between indoor and outside areas.
Pullet
A young hen, especially one less than one year old.
Range
An outdoor area, used by birds in free-range farming.
Rearing
Management of poultry from day-old to sexual maturity or production age.
Scratch area
A surface area that allows foraging behaviour.
Useable space
Space that has sufficient height to allow a bird to move freely, and perform normal postures, and does not include nest areas and structures such as raised perches and feed troughs.
Supervision
A person (the supervised person) is acting under the supervision of another person (the supervisor) if the supervisor:
(a) provides instructions and guidance to the supervised person in relation to the subject activity; and
(b) oversees and evaluates the performance of the activity by the supervised person; and
(c) is contactable by the supervised person.
Slatted floor system
A system of raised flooring with gaps that allow bird faeces to pass through.
Vent
The common external opening from the cloaca for the digestive system, urinary system and reproductive system.
Veranda
A roofed area along the outside of a dwelling eg. shed, level with the ground floor, designed to give shade/shelter.