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UEP chair voices concerns with proposed organic rule

eggsThe chairman of United Egg Producers (UEP) is critical of a proposed rule creating new animal welfare standards for organic egg producers.

Ron Truex, president of Indiana-based egg producer Creighton Brothers, testified at a recent Senate Ag Committee hearing. He said USDA’s recommendation to eliminate porch systems from organic egg production and provide more outdoor access and space for hens would drive a majority of current organic egg production out of business.

“Our farm is not organic, but a number of our UEP members have entered organic production in recent years and this is a major issue for them,” Truex said. “They believe the economic impact of this proposed regulation will be in excess of 100 million dollars, and perhaps more.”

In addition, Truex said, the outdoor requirements would increase exposure to disease and cause increased mortality among hens.

“If you put the birds out on the ground, let them out where they can get access to other birds and rodents, it’s going to be a real challenge to protect those birds,” he said. “In addition to that, you have the thought that, ‘well, if there’s an avian influenza problem, we’ll just put them back inside’.  But unfortunately, as we learned in Indiana this spring, sometimes you don’t know you have avian influenza until the second day—and then it’s too late.”

Truex added that, if implemented, the rule would cause supplies of organic eggs to be restricted and consumer prices would rise.

Leaders of the House and Senate ag committees are asking USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to extend the comment period on the proposed rule from 60 to 150 days. They say additional time is necessary for stakeholders to evaluate the changes made in the proposed rule and express their concerns about the potential impacts.

AUDIO: Excerpts from Ron Truex’s testimony and response to questions during the Senate Ag Committee hearing

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