The national agreement to improve animal welfare in the poultry industry in Australia includes a ban on caged eggs. While animal advocacy groups support this decision, there are concerns about the impact on consumers’ access to eggs. The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry were endorsed by state agriculture ministers during a meeting on July 13. These new standards will prohibit the use of battery cages in poultry farming. Battery cages are small and restrict hens from engaging in normal chicken behaviors. Animal welfare groups have been advocating for the ban on battery cages for a long time. Each state and territory will decide when to adopt the new standards, with the goal of phasing out battery cages by 2036. However, New South Wales has not committed to a specific timeline, stating their intention to work with the industry to ensure the best outcomes. The egg industry has requested an extension until 2046 to allow farmers to adjust financially to the new standards. Some politicians and farmers argue that an early ban on battery cages could lead to increased egg prices, making them unaffordable for low-income Australians. However, the federal agriculture minister disagrees, stating that the ban will not cause skyrocketing egg prices.