Editing Free-range eggs (section)

==Legal definition==
Legal standards defining [[free range]] can be different or non-existent depending on the country. Various watchdog organizations, governmental agencies, and industry groups adhere to differing criteria regarding what constitutes a "free-range" and "cage-free" status. In Massachusetts, there was a proposal to ban the sale of meat or eggs from caged animals, regardless of where they were raised. This potential shift from caged to cage-free production has raised concerns among egg industry groups. They worry that it will lead to a significant increase in egg prices, making them unaffordable for many consumers and potentially harming the egg industry

===United States===
The [[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA) requires that egg producers be able to demonstrate that "free range" egg layers have access to the outdoors.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/food-labeling/meat-and-poultry-labeling-terms/meat-and-poultry-labeling-terms | title = Meat and Poultry Labeling Terms | publisher = [[United States Department of Agriculture]]: [[Food Safety and Inspection Service]] | website = fsis.usda.gov | access-date = 12 October 2015}}</ref> However, there is no government oversight as to the quality of the external environment, or the amount of time the hen has access to it.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/12/23/370377902/farm-fresh-natural-eggs-not-always-what-they-re-cracked-up-to-be | first = Anders | last = Kelso | date = 23 December 2013 | website = [[NPR]] | title = Farm Fresh? Natural? Eggs Not Always What They're Cracked Up To Be | publisher = [[National Public Radio]] | access-date = 12 October 2015}}</ref> Many producers label their eggs as ''cage-free'' in addition to, or instead of, ''free-range''.<ref name="Free Range Eggs">{{cite web|title = Why Free Range Eggs|url = https://www.bagofgreens.com/free-range.html|website = Bag of Greens|access-date = 2021-02-15}}</ref> Recently, US egg labels have expanded to include the term "barn-roaming", to more accurately describe the source of those eggs that are laid by hens which can not range freely, but are confined to a barn instead of a more restrictive cage.

====Debate====
[[File:Free Range Hens - geograph.org.uk - 342791.jpg|thumb|Commercial free-range hens outdoors]]
Cage-free eggs have been a major cause of debate in the US. In 2015, there was an initiative proposed in [[Massachusetts]] that would ban the sale of in-state meat or eggs "from caged animals raised anywhere in the nation". This shift from caged to cage-free is concerning for egg industry groups because they believe that this will cause the price of eggs to increase to the point that consumers can not afford to buy them, thereby causing a decline in the egg industry overall. Animal welfare advocates argue that costs will not change as drastically as industry groups are expecting and that the price of eggs will remain almost the same because the housing of the birds does not make a huge difference in cost. Egg industry groups are making an effort to show or "educate lawmakers, voters, and consumers about the merits and cost-effectiveness of cage use". Local farmers and producers say that the shift will occur if that is what consumers want; they will adapt to having birds in or out of cages. Not only are there debates between the egg industry and animal welfare advocates, but people are also debating whether this issue has to be handled by the federal government or the industry.<ref name="POLITICO">{{cite web|title = Egg industry yielding in cage-free fight|url = http://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/egg-industry-hands-animal-advocates-big-win-in-cage-free-fight-213905|website = [[Politico]]| date=21 September 2015 |access-date = 2015-10-15}}</ref>

====Growth====
The popularity of cage-free eggs in the United States has significantly increased in recent years. In 2012, approximately 5% of U.S. egg-laying hens were kept in cage-free systems. As of March 2024, this figure had risen to 40%. While cage-free systems are not without their challenges, the industry appears to be transitioning towards this model as the dominant standard. Several U.S. states have enacted or are considering legislation banning the sale of eggs from conventionally caged hens. California, for instance, has already implemented such a ban. Major industry players, such as [[Cal-Maine|Cal-Maine Foods]], the largest egg producer in the U.S., are investing heavily in cage-free production. Cal-Maine has allocated $40 million to expand its cage-free operations and plans to build five new facilities to house 1 million cage-free hens by the summer of 2025.<ref>{{cite web | last=Zimmerman | first=Sarah | title=Cal-Maine plans $40M investment to expand cage-free egg production | website=Food Dive | date=2024-10-15 | url=https://www.fooddive.com/news/cal-maine-cage-free-egg-expansion/729827/ | access-date=2024-10-25}}</ref>

===European Union===
In the [[European Union]], cage-free egg production includes barns, free-range, organic (in the UK, systems must be free-range if they are to be labelled as organic) and aviary systems. Non-cage systems may be single or multi-tier (up to four levels), with or without outdoor access.  In the UK, free-range systems are the most popular of the non-cage alternatives, accounting for around 44% of all eggs in 2013, whereas barns and organic eggs together accounted for 5%.<ref>[http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/foodfarm/food/eggs/ UK egg production and price statistics] [[Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs]]</ref>

In free-range systems, hens are housed to a standard similar to that of a barn or aviary.

The [[European Union Council Directive 1999/74/EC]] stipulates that from 1 January 2007 (1 January 2012 for newly built or rebuilt systems), non-cage systems must provide the following:
* A maximum stocking density of nine hens/m<sup>2</sup> of "usable" space (units in production on or before 3 August 1999 could continue with a stocking density up to 12 hens/m<sup>2</sup> until 31 December 2011)
* If more than one level is used, a height of at least 45&nbsp;cm between the levels
* One nest for every seven hens (or 1 m<sup>2</sup> of nest space for every 120 hens if group nests are used)
* Litter (e.g. wood shavings) covering at least one-third of the floor surface, providing at least 250&nbsp;cm<sup>2</sup> of littered area per hen
* 15&nbsp;cm of perching space per hen.<ref name="ciwf.org.uk">[http://www.ciwf.org.uk/resources/publications/poultry_laying_hens/default.aspx Compassion in World Farming report - Alternatives to the barren battery cage]</ref>

In addition to these requirements, free-range systems must also provide the following:
* One [[hectare]] of outdoor range for every 2,500 hens (equivalent to 4 m<sup>2</sup> per hen; at least 2.5 m<sup>2</sup> per hen must be available at any one time if the rotation of the outdoor range is practiced)
* Continuous access during the day to this open-air range, which must be "mainly covered with vegetation"
* Several popholes extend along the entire building length, providing at least 2 m of opening for every 1,000 hens.<ref name="ciwf.org.uk"/>

Case studies of free-range systems for laying hens across the EU, carried out by [[Compassion in World Farming]], demonstrate how breed choice and preventive management practices can enable farmers to successfully use non [[Debeaking|beak-trimmed]] birds.<ref name="ciwf.org.uk"/>

===Australia===
In 2012, [[Australian Eggs]], the body for the industry, tried to register a free-range trademark allowing 20,000 hens per [[hectare]] on the range.  This sparked a major discussion between large producers, small producers, animal welfare groups, and consumer rights groups. The trademark application was withdrawn after the [[Australian Competition & Consumer Commission]] commented that the "proposed standards may mislead consumers about the nature of eggs described as 'free range'" in its Initial Assessment of the application.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Commission|first1=Australian Competition and Consumer|title=Australian Egg Corporation CTM 2012|url=https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/consultations-submissions/public-consultations/australian-egg-corporation-ctm-2012|website=[[Australian Competition & Consumer Commission]]|access-date=13 August 2017|language=en|date=21 January 2013}}</ref>

There is a voluntary code, which covers the basic standards of husbandry for physiological and behavioural needs of poultry, that allows for 1,500 layer hens per hectare.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Domestic poultry|last=Committee.|first=Primary Industries Standing|date=2002|publisher=[[CSIRO]]|isbn=9780643068674|edition=4th|location=Collingwood, Vic.|oclc=52868483}}</ref> However, the code also states that "any higher bird density is acceptable only when regular rotation of birds onto fresh range areas occurs". The voluntary code is under review and due to be consulted upon.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/poultry-code-review-could-help-unscramble-rules-allowing-cruelty-to-chickens-20170728-gxkm2y.html|title=Poultry code review could help unscramble rules allowing cruelty to chickens|last=Burgess|first=Elise|date=5 August 2017|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=2017-08-13|language=en-US}}</ref>

The Queensland government approved an increase in free-range layer hen stocking densities in July 2013. The maximum number of hens per hectare was increased from 1,500 to 10,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/free-range-eggs-definition-scrambled-20130728-2qshq.html |title='Free range eggs' definition scrambled |work=[[Brisbane Times]]|date=29 July 2013 |access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref>

In March 2016, Australian ministers voted in new national standards for the definition of free-range. The new standards allow for up to 10,000 birds per hectare, with no requirement for the hens to actually go outside.<ref name=":2"/> [[Choice (Australian consumer organisation)|Choice]], Australia's largest non-profit consumer organisation<ref name=":1" /> believes Australia's consumer affairs ministers made the decision to put the interests of large-scale Australian egg producers ahead of the needs of consumers.

In April 2017, the Australian Government finalised the law and decided to mandate a maximum of 10,000 hens per hectare in outdoor grazing areas, to which the hens must have "regular and meaningful" access.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/04/27/this-is-what-the-governments-new-free-range-egg-guidelines-lo_a_22059101/|title=This Is What The Government's New 'Free Range' Egg Guidelines Look Like|last=Pearce|first=Lara|date=28 April 2017|work=[[HuffPost|Huffington Post]]|access-date=2017-08-13|language=en-AU}}</ref> Currently, the most popular free range accreditation schemes mandating roaming space at or below the standard set by the EU for its members, are the Free Range Farmers Association (750 hens per hectare),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freerangefarmers.com.au/hen-welfare.html|title=Hen Welfare|website=Free Range Farmers Association Inc.|access-date=2017-08-13}}</ref> Humane Choice (1,500 hens per hectare)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanechoice.com.au/certified_humane_choice_standards|title=Free Range Standards {{!}} Pork, Beef, Lamb, Chicken|website=www.humanechoice.com.au|language=en|access-date=2017-08-13}}</ref> and Australian Certified Organic (2,500 hens per hectare under pasture rotation).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://austorganic.com/certified-organic-frequently-asked-questions/|title=FAQs|website=austorganic.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-13}}</ref> In July 2017, Snowdale was fined a record amount of $1.05m (including legal costs) for falsely advertising that its eggs were 'free range'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/record-fine-for-free-range-egg-farmer-snowdale/news-story/6e399a0147b95c4ff7a2c1baf7f9aed2|title=Record fine for 'free range' egg farmer Snowdale|website=[[The Australian]]|access-date=2017-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-25/egg-producer-snowdale-holdings-fined-over-free-range-claims/8741706|title=Egg producer handed 'record' fine over false free-range labelling|date=25 July 2017|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|access-date=2017-08-13|language=en-AU}}</ref> This was substantially larger than the fines imposed upon Derodi, Holland Farms, Pirovic or Darling Downs Fresh Eggs; set at either $300,000 or $250,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/free-range-egg-farms-ordered-to-pay-300000-penalty-for-false-or-misleading-%E2%80%9Cfree-range-egg%E2%80%9D-claims|title=Free Range Egg Farms ordered to pay $300,000 penalty for false or misleading "free range egg" claims|date=14 April 2016|work=Australian Competition & Consumer Commission|access-date=2017-08-13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-orders-250000-penalty-against-darling-downs-fresh-eggs-for-misleading-%E2%80%98free-range%E2%80%99-claims|title=Federal Court orders $250,000, penalty against Darling Downs Fresh Eggs for misleading 'free range' claims|date=14 September 2015|work=Australian Competition & Consumer Commission|access-date=2017-08-13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-orders-300000-penalty-after-finding-free-range-egg-claims-to-be-misleading|title=Federal Court orders $300,000 penalty after finding 'free range' egg claims to be misleading|last=Commission|first=Australian Competition and Consumer|date=23 September 2014|work=Australian Competition & Consumer Commission|access-date=2017-08-13|language=en}}</ref>