Australian egg farmers concerned about McDonalds decision

The announcement last week by McDonald’s Australia that they plan to phase out the use of eggs from caged-hens by 2017 has received mixed reactions.

Animal welfare groups welcomed the decision saying it will benefit both hens and consumers. Plus there have been many positive reactions on their Facebook page. However, Australian eggs farmers find the move disconcerting, asking the question: “Who will absorb the cost of your decision to dump affordable caged-hen eggs from your restaurants?”

Brian Ahmed president of the Victorian Farmers Federation Egg Group believes McDonald’s have been ‘bullied’ into this decision by animal rights groups. According to Ahmed, if McDonald’s want to make the change they need to be prepared for the extra costs and not expect egg producers to pay the price for this decision.

McDonald’s said in a statement that it has been working with suppliers on a move to cage-free eggs for some time now. It says it will begin the transition in 2015 with the aim to be 100 percent cage-free by 2017.