ACCC Clarifies Free-Range Labelling Amid Bird Flu Precautions

Australia's competition watchdog has clarified how free-range poultry products can be labelled as producers strengthen biosecurity measures against the H5 bird flu strain.

Following advice from the national Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases, poultry producers are being encouraged to consider temporarily housing free-range birds to reduce the risk of infection. The recommendation is precautionary and does not amount to a mandatory housing order.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says its existing free-range labelling guidance automatically applies only when governments formally direct birds to be housed.

Where birds are housed voluntarily in response to advice from government or Chief Veterinary Officers, the ACCC says it will exercise compliance and enforcement discretion on a case-by-case basis. It has also advised producers to be prepared to use alternative labelling where eggs or poultry meat are produced from housed birds.

Authorities say the temporary measures will remain under review as surveillance continues. They stress there is still no evidence of spread into commercial poultry, the risk to human health remains low, and anyone who finds sick or dead birds should avoid contact and report them to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.