In a move that could send egg prices soaring, there’s a proposal on the table to bring forward a ban on caged eggs in Australia from 2046 to 2036.
Such a change could see Australians paying up to $15 for a dozen eggs, a price hike that would be especially hard for older Australians already grappling with rising costs of living.
This Thursday, agricultural ministers will meet to decide whether to expedite the ban. A similar move in New Zealand earlier this year saw egg prices rise steeply, a situation we could soon find ourselves in, according to industry insiders.
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry have recommended the 2036 ban, but industry stakeholders are pleading for the original 2046 date to be upheld.
They argue that the sudden change could drastically reduce the number of eggs produced by Australian farmers, leading to potential shortages and price hikes.
Should they be bringing this ban forward?
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