What does the EPF do?
The EPF promotes and protects the interests of all members of the industry. The EPF represents the commercial egg producers in New Zealand by liaison with government and government departments, securing full and proper representation on or before boards, committees and commissions constituted under Acts or Regulations of the Government of New Zealand.
The EPF also promotes research and development, generic promotion of eggs, technical training, collection and circulation of technical information and statistics as well as providing general public relations and representation on industry working parties. An example of this is that the EPF is a member of the New Zealand Foodsafe Partnership.
How are we notified of members?
When a person or organisation purchases 100 or more day-old-chicks, they automatically become a member of the EPF. The two commercial hatcheries supplying day-old layer chicks provide details of who has purchased day-old layer chicks to the EPF. These are regularly reconciled against the EPF member database. If they are not current members, their details are confirmed and then added to the EPF member database.
If you believe you could be a member of the EPF (i.e. you farm more one hundred or more layer hens), please contact the EPF office on 09 520 4300.
Definitions (from the Animal Welfare (Layer Hen) Code of Welfare 2005, incorporating the Amendment Notice 2007):
Advisory livestock personnel
Experienced or trained personnel, e.g. commercial companies, layer hen advisors, technical advisors, hatchery managers. Also independent avian specialists and advisory personnel from hatcheries and poultry livestock breeding companies.
Alternative systems
Production systems which are not cage systems (as defined below). They may include free-range, aviary or barn systems.
Animal Welfare (Layer Hen) Code of Welfare 2005
A code of welfare, issued under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, which sets out the minimum standards and recommendations relating to all aspects of the care of layer hens.
Animal Welfare (Broiler Chickens: Fully Housed) Code of Welfare 2003
A code of welfare, issued under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, which sets out the minimum standards and recommendations relating to all aspects of the care of broiler chickens.
Aviary
A building housing layer hens without cages, similar to a barn but providing two or more floor levels, giving free access for all birds to all floors.
Barn
A building housing layer hens without cages, on a single level, and without access to an outdoor area.
Biosecurity New Zealand
Biosecurity New Zealand is a division of MAF. It has the lead role in preventing unwanted pests and diseases from reaching New Zealand, and for controlling, managing or eradicating them should they arrive.
Birds
Chicks, chickens, pullets, or layer hens.
Brooding
The management of chicks from day-old to four weeks of age.
Caking
Undesirable compaction of the surface of the litter.
Cage
An enclosure usually constructed of metal and usually containing 2-9 birds. These cages do not include a perch, a nest box or a dust bathing area. Also commonly known as a 'battery' cage.
Chicken
Layer breed of chicken from day-old to eight weeks of age.
Chicks
Newly-hatched layer chickens.
Controlled environment
An enclosed, insulated building containing pullets or layer hens, which provides total control of lighting, ventilation and temperature under automated control with feed, water and egg collection automated and usually computer-monitored.
Day-old chicks
Chicks up to 72 hours of age (surviving on their internal yolk sack).
Egg baffle
A metallic strip attached to the back of the feed trough in a laying cage, designed to stop the caged bird pecking and breaking any eggs resting on the egg belt.
Embryonated egg
A fertilised egg which contains a developing pre-hatched chick.
End of lay
When laying is terminated, either naturally or as a management practice. It may be followed by a moulting and a further laying period.
Enriched cage
An enclosure that typically provides more space for birds than a cage, and usually includes a perch, a nest box and a dust bathing area.
Euthanasia
Humane killing.
Free-range
A system providing birds with access to an extensive outdoor area and which typically includes housing (either fixed or moveable) similar to a barn, aviary or perchery without cages.
Growing
Management of the chickens from day-old to point of lay (approximately 18 weeks of age).
Hatcher
A controlled environment cabinet in which eggs are allowed to hatch.
Hatchery
A facility in which controlled environment cabinets are housed.
Layer hens (hens)
A sexually mature egg-producing bird from 18 weeks to end of lay
Lux
An international measure of light intensity (not to be confused with watts)
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)
MAF informs, advises, regulates and delivers services relating to the agriculture, forestry, rural affairs, biosecurity and food safety portfolios. In doing so, MAF contributes to the economic, environmental and social/cultural wellbeing of New Zealand.
Moulting
A natural shedding of the feathers of layer hens between laying cycles.
National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC)
The independent body that advises the Minister of Agriculture on welfare codes.
New Zealand Food Safe Partnership
An organisation, established in 1998, with a small group of representatives from the food industry (such as PIANZ), consumer groups, public health groups, New Zealand Food Safety Authority and the Ministry of Health, to promote consistent and appropriate food safety messages to New Zealand consumers.
New Zealand Food Safety Authority
NZFSA is the New Zealand controlling authority for imports and exports of food and food-related products. The NZFSA administers legislation covering the food for sale in New Zealand, primary processing of animal products and official assurances related to their export, exports of plant products and the controls surrounding registration, and use of agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines.
OIE
The World Organisation for Animal Health, founded in 1924, whose main aim is "to improve the health and the welfare of animals all over the world, regardless of the cultural practices or the economic situations in member countries".
Perch
An elevated structure allowing birds to roost off the ground.
Perchery
A barn or aviary containing perches.
Placement
Placing of day-old chicks in the rearing facilities or pullets in the laying facility.
Point of lay
The commencement of laying by a sexually mature hen.
Predator
An animal that preys upon another.
Pullet
Young hen from 8 weeks of age to point of lay.
Range
An outdoor area, usually grass, used by birds in free-range systems.
RMP (Risk Management Programme)
A Risk Management Programme is designed to identify, control, manage and eliminate or minimise hazards and other risk factors so that the resulting Animal Product is fit for intended purpose, under Part 2 of the Animal Products Act.
Vermin
Animals of a noxious or objectionable kind, including wild birds, rodents and mustelids (weasels, stoats and ferrets).
