Australia: Don't Change Your Free-Range Labels!
Queensland has changed free-range egg standards to allow a 600% increase in stocking density. The maximum stocking density has increased from 1,500 hens per hectare to 10,000 birds per hectare. This means that some birds could have a mere 1 square meter of space and yet could be considered as free-range.
There are also no limits for how long hens may be confined indoors. Under Queensland law, hens are considered free-range as long as they have outdoor access for eight hours a day and are within a certain distance from a doorway. This doesn’t guarantee that all animals will be able to go outdoors.
Customers seek out and pay more for free-range eggs in an effort to be compassionate. It is deceptive to use the label on eggs from birds who are not allowed sufficient space to spread their wings, preen and peck in a grassy outdoor area.
Please sign the petition to convince Queensland to preserve more ethical standards for free-range labels.
Dear [decision-maker],
We, the undersigned, are concerned with your decision to lower free-range egg standards to enable a 600% increase in stocking density. These lowered standards mean that some hens could have a mere 1 square meter of free space yet could be labeled as free-range.
We are also concerned with hens' access to the outdoors. Under Queensland law, hens can be considered free-range as long as they have outdoor access for eight hours a day and are within a certain distance from a doorway. This doesn't guarantee that all the birds will be able to go outdoors.
Customers seek out and pay more for free-range eggs in an effort to be compassionate. The free-range label should be reserved for birds who are allowed sufficient space to spread their wings, preen and peck in a grassy outdoor area. It is deceptive to label eggs as free-range when birds only have a square meter of indoor space to themselves and inconvenient access to a small, fenced outdoor patch. We respectfully urge you to move forward on animal rights and preserve or improve free-range standards rather than lower them.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
