Joe Sacca, Danny Jones from Australian Eggs, WA Member for the Agricultural Region Colin de Grussa, Cale Hill from the WA Nationals and Peter Bell from AAA Egg Company.
ON July 31, following on from the Flock Health and Egg Quality forum held by Australian Eggs, the Commercial Egg Producers Association of Western Australia held its annual Sundowner event at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth. The event was well attended by producers and supporters of the egg industry.An address was given by the Honourable Alannah MacTiernan MLC, WA Minister for Regional Development, Agriculture and Food, Ports and Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade. Australian Eggs managing director Rowan McMonnies also gave an address, as did Egg Farmers of Australia CEO Melinda Hashimoto.Rowan spoke about the sustainability framework and how work being undertaken has provided information around trust consumers have in the industry. Melinda spoke on the Standards and Guidelines and position of Egg Farmers of Australia and the issues raised with her during her visit pertaining to egg prices and future investment in the industry.A question and answer session was held before further networking continued throughout the evening. During the
Brendan Bell from Golden Eggs, Greg Kendall from AAA Egg Company, Rachel Wilson, John Evans from AAA Egg Company and Joe Sacca from Forrestdale Farm Fresh Eggs.
Q&A, egg farmers expressed to the Minister concerns that retailers have not responded to the plight of egg producers during the severe drought and that retailers have not passed on price increases.Additionally, they felt their concerns need to be taken up by the WA and other state governments and price support be recognised as to the impact it is now having on lack of egg supply on the shelves in WA and across the country.
ON July 31, following on from the Flock Health and Egg Quality forum held by Australian Eggs, the Commercial Egg Producers Association of Western Australia held its annual Sundowner event at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth. The event was well attended by producers and supporters of the egg industry.
An address was given by the Honourable Alannah MacTiernan MLC, WA Minister for Regional Development, Agriculture and Food, Ports and Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade. Australian Eggs managing director Rowan McMonnies also gave an address, as did Egg Farmers of Australia CEO Melinda Hashimoto.
WA Farmers CEO Trevor Whittington and Malcolm Ward from AAA Egg Company.
Rowan spoke about the sustainability framework and how work being undertaken has provided information around trust consumers have in the industry. Melinda spoke on the Standards and Guidelines and position of Egg Farmers of Australia and the issues raised with her during her visit pertaining to egg prices and future investment in the industry.
A question and answer session was held before further networking continued throughout the evening. During the Q&A, egg farmers expressed to the Minister concerns that retailers have not responded to the plight of egg producers during the severe drought and that retailers have not passed on price increases.
Additionally, they felt their concerns need to be taken up by the WA and other state governments and price support be recognised as to the impact it is now having on lack of egg supply on the shelves in WA and across the country.
CEPA executive officer Rachel Wilson flanked by egg industry supporters Rob and Alex.
Explanations were provided to the Minister on how market dynamics is the key issue with the concept of changes to production systems, and governments need to recognise farmers’ willingness to provide consumers with what they want, however it needs to be realistic and affordable to farmers.
Supermarket interference in the production process has created egg shortages. In the Minister’s speech, she stated she wrote to the ACCC to highlight the concerns of WA egg producers, particularly around allegations of egg mislabelling, inadequate penalties and the imbalance of bargaining power between individual egg producers and large retailers.
The WA Government is also strengthening its egg stamping and traceability requirements to provide assurances to consumers. In terms of the power imbalance with large retailers, the Minister stated industry needs to analyse the various reports produced on this matter and decide on a strategy forward.
As a first step, the Minister has offered the Government’s support to the industry in determining its cost of production.
Nick and Gemma from Australian Eggs with Egg Farmers of Australia SA/Tasmania director Dion Andary.
Commercial Egg Producers Association WA president Ian Wilson speaking, while seated were Egg Farmers of Australia CEO Melinda Hashimoto, Australian Eggs managing director Rowan McMonnies and WA Minister Alannah MacTiernan.