The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has allowed the drafting of new welfare standards for poultry to be "stage-managed" by industry in a process lacking "transparency", "governance" and "independence".

Key points: NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) accused of manipulating development of new welfare standards for egg industry

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) accused of manipulating development of new welfare standards for egg industry Minister Niall Blair's office denies collusion

Minister Niall Blair's office denies collusion Agriculture Victoria's executive director of biosecurity said department fell short in governance, transparency and independence

They were the "concerns" of Agriculture Victoria's executive director of biosecurity Cassandra Meagher in an email sent to an executive at the NSW department.

NSW DPI is leading the development of new laws for the treatment of Australia's 600 million poultry, including egg layer hens — the majority confined in battery cages, unable to express normal behaviours and movements.

In October 2016, Ms Meagher raised concerns the department led a process benefiting the commercial interests of egg farmers at the expense of animal welfare.

The cross border salvo followed the discovery by stakeholders that a widely expected ban on battery caged hens had not made it into the new draft standards for poultry welfare.

In the email, obtained under Freedom of Information (FOI) laws and given to the ABC, Ms Meagher writes Victoria "became aware" the egg industry "selectively" or "incorrectly cited" the work of scientists to support the continued use of battery cages in Australia.

"We understand that AVA [Australian Veterinary Association] and South Australia have similar concerns over the accuracy and transparency of the supporting papers, and it is also of some concern to Victoria."

Ms Meagher told the executive his department had fallen short in crucial areas:

Governance

"There is a concern that the process has been dominated by industry stakeholders...This has resulted in the document [the draft poultry welfare standards] reflecting pretty much the status quo and arguably does not advance animal welfare standards."

Transparency

"We are concerned that a number of stakeholders (not just the RSPCA Australia) consider that they have not been fully listened to during the process."

Independence

"This ties in with the above two concerns, in that having a robust independent scientific review prior to the initial drafting of the standards … would provide all stakeholders with confidence that the process was trying to achieve its aim of both harmonising animal welfare standards whilst advancing animal welfare," it says. "… There needs to be an acknowledgement that the attitude of the public and consumers, as well as increasingly that of trading partners, is becoming more demanding of industry and government, particularly when other developed countries are producing livestock to higher welfare standards …" "Happy to discuss." Kind Regards, Cassandra Meagher/ Executive Director Biosecurity Agriculture Victoria

A spokesman for the Department of Primary Industries conceded Victoria raised concerns, but told the ABC they had been dealt with appropriately.

"These were escalated to the Animal Welfare Task Group — as is the agreed process," he said.

Emails add to claims department colluded with egg industry

Ms Meagher's email is contained in a dossier of documents obtained under FOI and given to the ABC's 7.30.

Its contents add to claims, first broadcast on 7.30, that NSW DPI:

Colluded during secret meetings with egg industry representatives (The Poultry Management Group) to sabotage moves to outlaw battery cages

Colluded during secret meetings with egg industry representatives (The Poultry Management Group) to sabotage moves to outlaw battery cages Invited the independent chair of the stakeholder advisory committee, Steven Atkinson, to a secret strategy meeting with industry — before he was endorsed

Invited the independent chair of the stakeholder advisory committee, Steven Atkinson, to a secret strategy meeting with industry — before he was endorsed Suggested deleting, from the draft standards, the requirement birds have "sufficient space to stand and stretch limbs" — to benefit the caged egg industry

NSW Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair's office told the ABC "there have been no secret meetings and claims of collusion are inaccurate".

"Importantly, these [Poultry Management Group] meetings were known to animal welfare groups," the minister's spokeswoman said.

"Animals Australia were participants in one of these meetings with industry representatives in October 2015.

"Animal Health Australia [which reports to NSW DPI] also arranged similar meetings with groups like RSPCA, who they met with in September 2015.

"In addition, the independent chair of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee [Steve Atkinson] requested a meeting with all key stakeholders in order to better understand the parameters of the role and the process before accepting the position."

The Minister's spokeswoman also said the chair "has provided comment to 7.30 that he attended this meeting and that he firmly rejects this impacted his independence".

Animal welfare group rejects minister's statement

Hens confined in battery cages are unable to express normal behaviours and movements. ( ABC Rural: Brett Worthington )

"Animal welfare groups were not invited to this meeting," chief executive of RSPCA Australia Heather Neil said.

"Contrary to statements made by the NSW Government, the meetings of the Poultry Management Group referred to by the ABC, which took place on 19 January 2016 and 23 February 2016, were not known to, nor attended by, animal welfare groups." Ms Neil said.

"The discussions which took place at these meetings... were directed towards managing the standards development process to entrench cruel and outdated industry practices like the continued use of barren battery cages.

"This went beyond what could be considered appropriate consultation. It was a form of collusion with the very industry that will be regulated by the standards

Animals Australia has confirmed to the ABC they have lodged an official complaint with NSW anti-corruption body ICAC following concerns raised through the 7.30 program's coverage.

Spokeswoman Lisa Chalk told the ABC "whilst we can't divulge the detail, we can confirm we have submitted evidence of conduct we believe worthy of investigation by the anti-corruption body," she said.

Minister Blair's spokeswoman said: "Given the wide variety of stakeholder views on this important issue, the process of developing standards for consultation was always going to be difficult...The standards are not yet finalised and will be changed and updated to reflect the feedback received during consultation."

Ms Neil said the NSW Government and Animal Health Australia should now be "focused on how they are going to restore community confidence in the process".

"The only way for this to occur is for the standards to be amended to reflect the scientific evidence, and what the community very clearly says they want through the public consultation," she said.

"This will be their ultimate test of legitimacy and honesty."

To have your say on the new welfare standards for poultry, visit RSPCA hen welfare site or the Animal Welfare Standards site.

The executive email in full:

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Full statements from the Minister and the RSPCA:

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