Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton today congratulated the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for its
enabling consumers to buy eggs certified as coming from hens which were free range.
The SPCA accreditation scheme was officially launched at Parliament in Wellington today.
Mr Sutton said many New Zealand families bought food purely on price. But there was a market of consumers who purchased
food on animal welfare grounds.
"All consumers want to buy food that is safe to eat, and we legislate to ensure that here in New Zealand.
"But some consumers want to buy food produced in specific ways ? in this case, in a way they perceive as more
animal-friendly. I am a firm believer in the customer being king, and I am delighted to see the SPCA working with the
egg industry to produce an audited system where consumers can be sure that they are buying eggs produced in a way they
want."
To promote the scheme, the SPCA was to give every MP in Parliament a carton of six accredited eggs. Mr Sutton said the
cartons of eggs the SPCA gave to him and Labour junior whip Chris Carter for all Labour MPs today would be passed on to
the Downtown Community Ministry.
ENDS