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Oregon passes cage-free egg law

Oregon has joined others on the West Coast that require all eggs sold in the state come from cage-free facilities.

The bill signed into law Monday mirrors legislation in California and Washington that not only includes cage-free requirements, but also demands barns contain perches, nests, scratching areas and dustbathing areas.

United Egg Producers president and CEO Chad Gregory says their farmer-members support all types of hen housing and will comply with Oregon’s new law, when implemented.  He calls these changes complex and costly, and says they’ll require close collaboration with customers. 

The Humane Society is hailing the new Oregon law as a victory.  Josh Balk with HSUS says with Oregon joining the list of states banning the extreme confinement of hens, the future for the egg industry is clear:  no more cages.

The Oregon law goes into effect in 2024.