May 20, 2004

Australian Egg Levy To Target Poultry Welfare

Australian eggs could get more expensive if a national levy is introduced to help pay for changes to the industry.

State and territory agriculture ministers have agreed to the charge which would be introduced at a federal level. The size of the levy is yet to be decided.

Queensland's Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk says the money would improve the animal welfare standards of caged poultry.

"That will certainly be an improvement, not only here in Queensland for our animals, but it will also send the right signals out to our trading partners that we are very serious about animal welfare," he said.