The ACCC acknowledges discussions held by Commonwealth and State Emergency Animal Disease officials over the past week about the threat of H5 bird flu in commercial poultry flocks. During those discussions, it was proposed that State Animal Disease authorities should consider issuing a recommendation that free-range poultry producers voluntarily house their flocks for the next 2 weeks, to reduce the risk of those flocks being infected with H5 bird flu via contact with wild bird species.
The ACCC understands that Chief Veterinary officers in several states, including Queensland, NSW and Victoria, have issued such voluntary housing recommendations, with these to be reviewed on July 17th.
To remove any uncertainty that free-range poultry producers may have, the ACCC confirms that it will not take enforcement action for breaches of free-range poultry standards if and to the extent producers are independently acting in accordance with housing orders or recommendations issued by their relevant state veterinary authorities, including where those are voluntary recommendations.
Free range poultry producers need to be prepared with alternative labelling and information for consumers if poultry are being housed for an extended period. It is important that consumers continue to have confidence in free range labelling.
