NPPC Bristles at Egg Legislation

The Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers jointly announced on Thursday the introduction of S.3239, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, sponsored by a group of senators led by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). In short, the legislation will require egg producers to essentially double the space allotted per hen and make other housing changes in a tiered-in process over the next 15 to 18 years.

Joe Vansickle, Senior Editor

May 25, 2012

1 Min Read
NPPC Bristles at Egg Legislation

 

The Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers jointly announced on Thursday the introduction of S.3239, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, sponsored by a group of senators led by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

This measure is the Senate companion to H.R. 3798, introduced in January by a group of congressmen led by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR).

In short, the legislation will require egg producers to essentially double the space allotted per hen and make other housing changes in a tiered-in process over the next 15 to 18 years.

The legislation is backed by a number of animal rights organizations, egg and poultry groups and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Chief Executive Officer Neil Dierks comments that this legislation – both in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate – “has far too big an impact on consumers for them to be introduced without any public hearings or debate.”

Gene Gregory, president of the United Egg Producers, says the legislation “will help ensure the American consumers continue to have a wide variety and uninterrupted supply of eggs at affordable prices.”

In contrast, Dierks questions: “At a time when our nation’s economy is so fragile, why are we allowing special interest groups to draft legislation that will place a significant financial burden on American consumers, federal nutrition programs and American farmers?”

“This bill sets a very dangerous precedent for all farmers and consumers,” he charges.   

About the Author

Joe Vansickle

Senior Editor

Joe, a native of Indiana, is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He worked on daily newspapers in Albert Lea, MN and Fairmont, MN, before joining the staff of National Hog Farmer in 1977. Joe specializes in animal health issues, federal regulations, environmental concerns, food safety and writing about the swine veterinary community. Joe has won several writing awards from the Livestock Publications Council. In 2002, he earned the Master Writer Program Award from the American Agricultural Editors’ Association.

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