News
‘Egg bill’ backers attempt end run
As expected, sponsors of the “egg bill” in the Senate are attempting to attach the legislation as an amendment to the Senate farm bill.
The legislation would mandate on-farm production practices for egg-laying hens, including a federal cage size standard. It’s the result of an agreement between the Humane Society of the United States and United Egg Producers (UEP).
But other animal agriculture groups say the legislation could open the door to federal mandates on their industries as well.
“If the egg industry decides they want to set standards, God bless ‘em,” says Audrey Adamson, vice president for domestic public policy with the National Pork Producers Council. “UEP is a cooperative and if they want to do that with their members, God bless ‘em.
“But we think it’s wrong-headed to do it in federal legislation. We think farmers know best—and the federal government has no business coming in here and saying ‘X by Y’.”
Adamson says government mandates on production practices will drive more farmers out of business and result in increased food costs.
“If you look at what happened in the European Union and you look at what happened in the UK (United Kingdom)—there are no eggs on the shelf—because their standards have significantly reduced the supply of eggs in the UK and raised the price to astronomical levels,” Adamson says.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association agrees, saying the legislation “opens up a Pandora’s Box on Capitol Hill.”
AUDIO: Audrey Adamson (5:58 MP3)
Tags: Animal Rights, animal welfare, Cattle/Beef, Congress, Eggs, Farm Bill, Hogs/Pork, HSUS, NCBA, NPPC, pork production
this just now from a pal responding to my query regarding this article: “organic eggs are around £1.50 for half a dozen. Ive not heard about a shortage.”
hhmm,, do i smell the usual fear tactics??