A decision by Woolworths to cut the number of caged egg brands it sells, has been applauded by animal welfare groups, but CONDEMNED by the state government.

NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, called the move ‘disturbing’, because it comes after the introduction of new regulations for caged hens.

The egg industry spent millions of dollars to comply with an increase in the minimum cage size from 400 square centimeters to 550.

So is Woolworths simply responding to consumer demand by moving to free range eggs?

2SER’s Britta Jorgensen reports.