During the current period of heightened awareness of H5N1 Avian Influenza, RSPCA Certified wants to inform consumers of the status of RSPCA Certified free range meat chicken products.
In response to a number of detections in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales, most producers of free range (outdoor) chickens have either been mandated to, or voluntarily chosen to, house their animals inside in the interim.
These birds will continue to be identified as RSPCA Certified free range for a period of 90 days in line with direction from the ACCC (Free range claims for poultry egg and meat during an Avian Influenza outbreak | ACCC).
After this period, any animals that remain continually housed will no longer be able to be marketed as RSPCA Certified free range products.
RSPCA Certified continues to monitor the situation closely, and work with our Producers and Licensees to ensure the highest possible welfare for animals farmed under the program.
