「自由牧場」里的雞可能並不自由 Egg labelling laws now，chicken next？
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前言
在澳大利亞，消費者權益和可持續、清潔、綠色食品（包括動物福利標準）已經成為了重大的政治和社會問題。
2018年2月，Mayo 選區的議員Rebekha Sharkie在聯邦議會提出了一項議案，試圖將市場上的「自由牧場」和「假自由牧場」區分開來。她得快點行動了，因為她很有可能會因為她的外國公民身份被告到最高法院，從而面臨補選。
證明先有蛋後有雞？
Rebekha Sharkie議員計劃在2月份議政期間向議會提交她的《2018競爭和消費者修正案（自由牧場雞蛋）》。
Rebekha想要確保那些在市場上被標註為「自由牧場」生產的雞蛋，真的來自「自由牧場」。也就是說，牧場里的母雞在大多數日子裡都能夠自由活動。
這一項立法試圖對標籤法作出修正，更嚴格地規定哪些雞蛋可以被標為「自由牧場」雞蛋。
去年，她選區里的一小批「自由牧場」生產者向她表達訴求之後，Rebekha起草了該法案。
牧民們稱，他們正在被擠出「自由牧場」市場。因為更大的生產商們都把自己的產品標上「自由牧場」，但他們的飼養條件完全沒有滿足皇家防止虐待動物協會（RSPCA）和國際人道協會（Humane Society International）推薦的國際標準。
Rebekha表示，如果消費者們知道所謂的「自由牧場」雞蛋並不是來自真正的「自由牧場」，他們可能會很驚訝。
然而，澳大利亞的「自由牧場」定義太廣泛了。
你在澳大利亞買到的「自由牧場」雞蛋如果放在英國或者歐洲其他國家，根本不會被標為「自由牧場」。
而這樣導致最終的結果是，消費者的期待並沒有被滿足，而那些小生產商承受了經濟損失。
增加透明度
Rebekha希望所有消費者在購物的時候都能了解所有的相關信息，在知情的情況下做出選擇。
這項法案還有一個額外的好處，就是小生產商會因此受益。
哪些法案會進入議會的討論和投票流程，是由政府決定的。
然而，一旦提交了法案，Rebekha會開始遊說內閣部長和偏遠地區議員們支持該法案。
Rebekha會和新的農業和水資源部長David Littleproud談話，還會和助理部長Anne Ruston談話。
為了讓她的法案進入議會辯論和投票流程，Rebekha還會尋求反對黨成員以及中立議員的支持。
《2018競爭與消費者修正案（自由牧場雞蛋）》尋求：
確保被標記為「自由牧場」的雞蛋真的來自自由牧場。即牧場里的母雞在大多數日子裡，都能夠並且確實在開放的牧場里自由活動。
確保被標記為「自由牧場」的雞蛋來自滿足一定動物福利標準的牧場。即牧場里公雞和母雞的飼養密度不能超過每公頃1500隻，並且飼養密度必須以「只/公頃」的形式顯著地標註在雞蛋的標籤上。
讓那些既不是來自籠子飼養的母雞也不滿足自由牧場定義的雞蛋能夠被標註為「牧場雞蛋」。
說完了「自由牧場」雞蛋的問題，現在該說說雞的問題了。因為一些動物福利領域的遊說團體也都開始關注雞的問題了。
雞肉問題
在對禽類和雞肉生產的動物福利標準和方針進行公共討論的過程中，全國農業生產者協會（NFF）很關心禽類問題，主張雞肉工業應該遵循規定的流程。
澳大利亞的一些州政府發布了一些報告，表示可能會禁止某些禽類和雞肉的養殖生產方式。此後NFF表示了關注。在這裡我們必須記得，塔斯馬尼亞州和南澳州馬上將進行州選舉，還可能會有一些補選。
動物福利團體會利用選民的支持，在這些選舉中大力進行宣傳活動。因此，理性的辯論對於那些想要組建政府或者維持現有政府職位的人來說尤為重要。
NFF希望不要有任何對雞蛋或雞肉的禁令
NFF主席Tony Mahar表示，目前各方磋商仍在進行中，但是一些部門的報告卻已暗示禁令將會出台，這是令人感到擔憂並且對現狀是沒有任何幫助的。
我們要提醒所有考慮採取這種措施的州政府，一定要遵循透明的、實用主義的流程。
政府的禁令會給農民、社區和消費者帶來很嚴重的後果。
Mahar先生表示，只有建立公正合理的標準和方針，才能保證禽類和雞肉工業生產者們採用適當的、科學的生產方式。
『原文』
Egg labelling laws now, chicken next?
Consumer rights are a big political and social issue, as are sustainable, clean green food, including animal welfare standards in Australia.
A Private Member"s Bill seeking to separate true 「free range」 eggs from 「fake range」 eggs in the marketplace is being introduced to Federal Parliament this February 2018 by the Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie.
She will have to be quick, as she may be referred to the High Court and face a by-election, like so many recently on grounds of her possible foreign citizenship status.
Proving the egg comes before the chicken?
The Nick Xenophon Team MP plans to lodge her Competition and Consumer Amendment (Free Range Eggs) Bill 2018 when Parliament returns in February.
Rebekha wants to make sure that when consumers go into a store and buy eggs that have been marketed as 「free range」 that they really are buying eggs laid by hens that move freely during daylight hours on most days.
The legislation seeks to amend the labelling laws to tighten what can and cannot be marketed as 「free range」.
Rebekha drafted the Bill after being approached last year by small-scale 「free range」 producers in her electorate.
Growers claimed they were being squeezed out of the 「free range」 market because bigger producers were marketing their eggs as 「free range」 when their growing conditions fell short of internationally observed standards recommended by the RSPCA and the Humane Society International.
If people doing their shopping on a Saturday morning knew how 「free range」 was currently defined, they would be very surprised, Rebekha said.
The Government recently signed off on a definition that is intentionally broad.
The 「free range」 eggs you buy in Australia wouldn』t be considered 「free range」 in the UK, or in Europe.
The end result is that consumer expectations are not being met and small egg producers who are hurting financially.
The goal is to promote transparency
Rebekha just wants everyone doing their shopping to have all the relevant information, so they can make an informed choice.
The bonus of this legislation is that it will benefit small egg producers.
It is up to the Government to decide which legislation is debated and voted on in Parliament.
However, once the Bill is lodged, Rebekha will begin advocating Ministers and regional MPs for its adoption.
Rebekha will be talking to the new Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud and she will be talking with Assistant Minister Senator Anne Ruston as well.
Rebekha will also be looking for support from members of the Opposition and the Cross-Bench to get this Bill debated and voted on in Parliament.
The Competition and Consumer Amendment (Free Range Eggs) Bill 2018 seeks to:
Ensure eggs marketed as 『free range』 are eggs laid by hens that are able to, and do in fact, move freely on an open range during daylight hours on most days.
Ensure eggs marketed as 『free range』 are laid from chickens, hens subject to a stocking density of no more than 1,500 hens per hectare, and that the stocking density information is displayed on egg labels prominently in a 『hens per hectare』 format.
Enable eggs that are not cage-eggs but do not meet the definition of free range to be marketed as 『access to range』.
So much for the 「free range」 egg issue, but it now is heading for the chicken. As advocacy groups in the animal welfare scene are calling out chicken issues.
Now the chicken!
The National Farmers" Federation (NFF) is concerned for the poultry, chicken industry to be afforded due process, during the public consultation on the Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for poultry, chicken production.
The NFF has issued the concern, following reports of potential bans on poultry, chicken farming methods by state governments in Australia. We must remember here, that Tasmania and South Australia are due to have state elections shortly, and as mentioned there will be some by-elections.
Animal welfare groups will be campaigning strongly in these elections for their case that finds resonance across the voting public. This makes having a rational debate important for the parties that seek to form or retain government.
NFF hopes, no bans on egg or chicken!
It is concerning and unhelpful that statements have been made in some jurisdictions, while the consultation process is underway, insinuating that bans may occur, NFF Chief Executive Mr Tony Mahar said.
We would caution any government contemplating any such measures to allow an informed and pragmatic process to take place.
These are very serious threats that carry very serious consequences for farmers, communities and consumers.
Mr Mahar indicated meaningful engagement with the standards and guidelines was the only way to ensure that appropriate and scientifically validated, measures took place within the poultry, chicken industry.
How do you see the egg and or chicken question?
A. Ban offenders?
B. Give time to change?
C. No penalty?
D. Freedom to choose?
Please leave a comment to explain your stance!
作者Author：Roger Hausmann -Federal Parliamentary Journalist澳洲聯邦記者
本文翻譯Translator：周吉吉Julie
本文編輯Editor：千千Coco
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