The Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand (EPF) is the national body representing the interests of all commercial egg farmers, including free-range, barn, colony and cage egg farming systems.
Our aim is to make sure that Kiwis have access to good, affordable eggs produced by healthy hens. As part of this commitment, we have been developing and supporting an egg farming industry that looks to employ the highest possible standards, encompassing not just egg quality but hen welfare as well.
What do we do?
The EPF supports New Zealand’s commercial egg industry and the diverse interests of our members. This includes building a greater understanding of the egg production industry and awareness of eggs as one of the most popular protein foods.
We are also responsible for research and development, technical training and compliance support to help ensure members meet animal welfare, food safety and biosecurity regulations.
The EPF often liaises with government and government departments, providing representation on or before boards, committees and commissions constituted under Acts or Regulations applicable to our membership.
Through a portion of members’ levies, we also provide funding for the general promotion of eggs via Eggs Inc
Our farmers
There are approximately 170 farming members of the EPF and membership is mandatory under the Commodity Levies (Eggs) Order 1999. Any person or organisation that purchases 100 or more one to five day-old layer chicks in a calendar year automatically becomes a member of the EPF and is responsible for contributing a levy.
This ‘chick levy’ is payable at the point of purchase from the hatchery. It’s currently $0.36 per day-old chick and is included in the purchase price. There are three commercial hatcheries supplying chicks and we regularly cross-check and reconcile our membership records.
We have two types of members:
- Producer members whose membership is mandatory as above
- Allied members who apply to join the EPF because of their interest in the egg industry in New Zealand, but who are not actively farming eggs
