Australia: Global endorsement of caged egg phase-out by 2036
By 2036, Australia aims to completely eliminate caged eggs as part of its national guidelines for egg production. These guidelines require egg producers to phase out conventional cages for laying hens by 2036 at the latest. However, some industry leaders are concerned that the proposed timeline for transition is too rapid, potentially resulting in egg shortages and higher prices.
Leading supermarket chains, Woolworths and Coles, have already committed to ensuring that all the eggs they sell will be cage-free by 2025.
When the standards were initially introduced last year, the Egg Farmers of Australia requested the government to consider modifications to the plan. They proposed extending the exit period to 2046 and implementing "exit packages" to assist farmers in their transition away from conventional cages.
Although animal welfare advocates have criticized the 13-year phase-out as too gradual, the industry was advocating for a nationwide phase-out target of 2046.
