Chickens euthanased at NSW egg farm amid animal cruelty allegations
An egg farm on the NSW Central Coast is being investigated over animal cruelty allegations, with chickens being euthanased in an "emergency situation". The farm, which promotes its eggs as free range and high welfare, has declined to comment on the investigation.
Chickens at a Central Coast egg farm are being euthanased amid allegations of animal cruelty, with the New South Wales government launching an investigation into the claims.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the Department of Primary Industries was aware of concerns about Mountain Pride Farms and had commenced an investigation to determine if there were food safety or biosecurity concerns at the property.
Investigation underway
Ms Moriarty told the upper house of NSW Parliament that an enforcement agency was investigating and "live chickens are currently being euthanised at that site". She described it as an "emergency situation".
"The department has commenced an investigation to determine if there are food safety or biosecurity concerns at the property," Ms Moriarty said.
"That is a desperately sad situation, but ... these things need to be done in order to spare animals that might otherwise be in a very difficult situation."
Concerns raised about farm
Greens MLC Abigail Boyd said concerns about Mountain Pride Farms were first raised in September 2025.
She said those concerns were allegedly brought to the attention of the RSPCA, the NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW Police and the Central Coast Council.
"It's deeply concerning that they've known about this, they've had footage and yet there's not been an urgent response," Ms Boyd said.
Eggs blocked from sale
Ms Moriarty said action had been taken to ensure eggs from the farm could not enter the food supply chain.
"The department will continue to monitor to ensure biosecurity controls are dealt with and maintained," she said.
However, Animal Liberation spokesperson Lisa Ryan said eggs from the farm were observed for sale in generic packaging at the Central Coast fresh food markets on Saturday.
She also said the eggs were being sold at a Peats Ridge petrol station on Wednesday night.
Farm's response
Mountain Pride Farms declined to comment on the investigation.
The farm's website includes information that it aims to produce "the best quality eggs", which are "high welfare and free range".
Ms Boyd said she had lost faith in the food authority's capability to ensure products were what they were purported to be.
"These were supposed to be free range, ultra-healthy eggs with the highest welfare standards … and what it appears we've discovered is something very, very different," she said.
"I think the public have a real right to be concerned about who is protecting their food sources."