Woolies to phase out cage eggs

Woolworths will begin phasing out caged eggs from its shelves following requests from customers.

By 2018, Woolworths will only stock cage-free eggs, removing the option of cheaper cage eggs.

Commercial Egg Producers Association of WA president John Simpson said it wanted Woolworths to consider how this would affect lower income earners.

He said the move would require egg farmers to spend $100 million to upgrade caged facilities to produce accepted, cage-free varieties.

Mr Simpson believed the move was not about animal welfare, but about retail margins.

“Some consumers do not want to pay higher prices for eggs and will not want their right to choose taken way from them,” he said.

“It’s about taking away the consumers’ choice to purchase an affordable, highly nutritious product, full of protein.”

Mr Simpson said the supermarket giant was failing to consider all of its shoppers.

He expects consumers will face an increase in the price of eggs because farmers will have to spend millions of dollars to convert to cage-free systems.

“It costs more to produce free range eggs and customers will have to pay more if their choice to purchase what they want is removed,” he said.

Mr Simpson said the decision came as a surprise to producers, which five years ago invested more than $500 million to upgrade caged-egg facilities to ensure the chickens’ welfare was at its highest.

A Woolworths spokesman said it had considered the association’s concern, but believed it was what its customers wanted.

“We are constantly talking to our customers and the move to cut caged eggs has been going on for some time,” he said.

“Customers wanted us to make this decision.

“We will always make sure our prices are competitive and we will make sure we continue to do that.”

Mr Simpson said Coles stated earlier this year its own brand eggs would become free range, but other cage brands would be available.