Egg producers asked to keep fighting for Egg Bill passage

David Lathem, the CEO of Lathem Farms and the United Egg Producers’ chairman, opened the second day of the cooperative’s legislative board meeting by commenting on the potential passage of the laying hen welfare legislation, the Egg Bill. He said, “Somehow, some way we will get this done.” Chad Gregory, president and CEO, United Egg Producers, said, “I couldn’t be more proud of the egg industry with what we have tried to accomplish the last few months. We are not giving up; we are absolutely not giving up.”
After failing to get the Egg Bill added as an amendment to the Farm Bill in the Senate Agriculture Committee as had been hoped, the focus of attention will shift to the floor of the House of Representatives. In spite of the setback in the Senate, Gregory said, "We are just as optimistic and positive as before that we can get this bill passed. We still think it is the right thing to do."
Mike McLeod, a lobbyist for the United Egg Producers, said that he believes they have a good shot of getting the Egg Bill included in the Farm Bill as a floor amendment in the House of Representatives. He said that he also thinks the bill could pass on the house floor and survive in the conference committee. If all this happens, he said that they would then need 60 votes in the Senate in favor of a Farm Bill including the Egg Bill amendment. In spite of the obstacles, he said, "We have a good pathway to victory."


Chad Gregory, president and CEO, United Egg Producers, said, “We are just as optimistic and positive as before that we can get this bill passed.”

Congressman Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., 5th District, is a veterinarian and farmer who has been a sponsor of the Egg Bill in the 112th and 113th Congresses. Schrader complemented the egg industry on being willing to change, adapt and engage with the opposition. He said that industries that refuse to engage their adversaries won’t survive. "If you aren't setting the table, you are on the table,” he said.
Schrader told egg producers that they will need to continue to explain to their representatives in Congress why the Egg Bill is necessary. He said that this is not an either/or bill, bad for livestock and good for egg producers. “Explain that this is what you need and that it won't affect livestock,” Schrader said. “This isn’t about other livestock industries; this is about what you need to do your business.”
“You will need to explain that this is a well-thought-out agreement,” he said. “This will be a long battle.” Schrader emphasized the importance of all egg producers getting involved and contacting their representatives. "This is your life's work," he said. "It will take all of your voices."

New Egg Bill to be introduced soon, sources say

The Egg Bill establishes a roughly 18-year transition period where conventional cages will be phased out and hens will be housed in either enriched cages, pictured here, or in cage-free systems.

A new, slightly revised, Egg Bill is likely to be introduced to both houses of Congress in the next few weeks, according to congressional aides cited in published reports. Chad Gregory, president and CEO, United Egg Producers, would not provide a date for the expected introduction of the legislation. He said that the United Egg Producers are committed to having the legislation reintroduced in Congress and getting it passed before the end of September.
The Egg Bill (H.R. 3798 and S. 3239) was introduced into the last Congress as an amendment to the Egg Products Inspection Act. Proponents of the Egg Bill attempted to have the Egg Products Inspection Act amendment added to the Farm Bill. Work on a new Farm Bill was postponed 12 months as part of the running battle over federal fiscal matters. Congress now has until the end of September 2013 to pass a new Farm Bill.
The United Egg Producers' agreement with the Humane Society of the United States was extended until the end of September of 2013. When asked about any changes in the 2013 version of the Egg Bill versus the prior bill’s language, Gregory said, “The 2013 Egg Bill and the prior Egg Bill differ slightly. We are calling them technical corrections. All [changes] are helpful for egg farmers.”
The United Egg Producers will hold its annual Legislative Meetings May 20-22 in Washington, D.C., and members are sure to spend much of their time on Capitol Hill lobbying their representatives to support passage of the Egg Bill.

Nearly 9 million eggs donated to food banks nationwide

To help in the fight against food insecurity across the country, U.S. egg farmers are donating nearly nine million fresh eggs to food assistance organizations coast-to-coast during the month of March.
Families continue to struggle to put food on their tables, leading more and more to turn to food assistance organizations nationwide for help. In fact, more than 48 million Americans live in food insecure homes.
Among the most needed items at food assistance organizations are sources of high quality protein, such as fresh eggs. According to the USDA, one large egg delivers six grams of protein and 13 essential nutrients such as choline, folate, iron and zinc. Additionally, the USDA concluded in 2011 that the average amount of cholesterol was 14 percent lower and vitamin D content was 64 percent higher than previously thought.
"We come together during the Easter season to make fresh eggs available to food insecure families across the country," stated Chad Gregory, president and CEO of United Egg Producers. "Because eggs are so important to hungry American families, we want Congress to act this year to amend the Egg Products Inspection Act as part of the 2013 Farm Bill to help ensure eggs will continue to be available without interruption nationwide."
For the sixth consecutive Easter season, the United Egg Producers have organized a nationwide effort to give food insecure families a helping hand, bringing the total number of fresh eggs donated by U.S. egg farmers since 2008 to 69 million.

Egg producers, HSUS propose Egg Bill revisions

Chad Gregory, president and CEO, United Egg Producers, reported at the cooperative's board meeting held in conjunction with IPPE in Atlanta, that representatives from United Egg Producers, California egg producers and the Humane Society of the United States met in mid-January to look at the language of the 2012 Egg Bill and update it for 2013. He said that an agreement in principle was reached on a couple of items.
Gregory said that the requirement that ammonia levels in the layer house be kept at 25 parts per million or less was retained, but the overall language of the Egg Bill was changed so that "temporary excesses of ammonia will not constitute a violation of the act." This new agreement between United Egg Producers and HSUS will be in effect until September 30, 2013.
The United Egg Producers and HSUS worked together in an effort to secure passage of H.R. 3798, the Egg Bill, as an amendment to the Farm Bill in 2012. This effort failed, partly because the Farm Bill was never voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The agreement between United Egg Producers and HSUS to seek passage of the Egg Bill was signed in July of 2011. The original expiration date for the agreement has come and gone and the agreement has already been extended a couple of times.
Researchers and primary breeders have raised the need for more exemptions from the Egg Bill. In the 2012 version of the Egg Bill, the only exemption included was for farms with fewer than 3,000 layers. In the 2013 version, Gregory said that exemptions would be added for primary breeders and research facilities.
Unfortunately, Gregory said the HSUS would not consider revising any of the dates pertaining to implementation in California, where Proposition 2 has a January 1, 2015, compliance date.

US consumers support proposed laying hen cage legislation

American consumers support, by a margin of four-to-one, recently proposed national legislation that would transition egg production from the existing conventional cages used for egg-laying hens to enriched cages, according to a new survey conducted by independent research company The Bantam Group. Consumers also said that federal legislation was preferable to state legislation, by a margin of two-to-one.
Consumers support the transition to enriched cages for egg production by a margin of 12-to-one. Consumers also said that the two most important groups to support this transition outlined in the federal legislation (H.R. 3798) to enriched cages are the United Egg Producers and the Humane Society of the United States, both of which support the bill, as do more than 11 egg and farm groups, 10 animal protection groups and the National Consumers League. Fifty-nine percent of consumers said they would be "more supportive" if they knew that the United Egg Producers and humane society supported such legislation; only 1 percent said they would be more opposed.
Enriched cages provide egg-laying hens nearly double the amount of space they currently have in conventional cages, plus provide perches, nest boxes and scratch pads which allow the hens to exhibit their natural behaviors. The study was commissioned by United Egg Producers. However, the survey's sponsorship was anonymous so as to not bias any of the 2,000 respondents, all of whom were registered voters. 

United Egg Producers president announces retirement

Gene Gregory, president of the United Egg Producers, will retire at the end of 2012.
Gene Gregory made the announcement at the board meeting of the cooperative held in conjunction with the 2012 International Poultry Expo in Atlanta. The United Egg Producers’ board announced that Chad Gregory, Gene Gregory's son, will succeed his father as the next president.
Gene Gregory has spent over 40 years working in and for the egg industry. He began his career as an egg producer and later served as a board member of the United Egg Producers, before becoming a staff member of the cooperative and finally serving five years as its president. Chad Gregory is currently senior vice president for the United Egg Producers.  

Pig, cattle groups against United Egg Producers, HSUS agreement

The National Pork Producers Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association have both spoken out against the agreement between the United Egg Producers and the Humane Society of the United States to work together toward the enactment of federally mandated egg production standards, citing concerns about setting precedents for government interference in the industry.
“Cattlemen are rightfully concerned with the recent UEP-HSUS agreement to seek unprecedented federal legislation to mandate on-farm production standards," said  Colin Woodall, vice president of government affairs with the NCBA. "More than two decades ago, cattlemen adopted voluntary production practice guidelines. The cattle industry’s successful programs were not the result of a government mandate. They were developed by industry for industry to ensure cattlemen constantly improve handling and management techniques."
According to Woodall, the industry will continue working to ensure its standards are based on the latest knowledge. "Unlike the UEP-HSUS agreement, our cattle care programs should never be weakened by being misused or construed as the basis of a regulatory or government mandated program," he said.
According to the NPPC, legislation pre-empting state laws on egg production systems would set a dangerous precedent for allowing the federal government to dictate how livestock and poultry producers raise and care for their animals, and would inject the federal government into the marketplace with no measurable benefit to public or animal health and welfare.
“The NPPC is gravely concerned that such a one-size-fits-all approach will take away producers’ freedom to operate in a way that’s best for their animals, make it difficult to respond to consumer demands, raise retail meat prices and take away consumer choice, devastate niche producers and, at a time of constrained budgets for agriculture, redirect valuable resources from enhancing food safety and maintaining the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture to regulating on-farm production practices for reasons other than public health and welfare,” said the organization. 

Cornell stages cage-free debate, takes on HSUS

In a recent debate entitled, “Cage-Free verses Conventional Eggs,” Professor Joe Regenstein, of the Cornell University Department of Food Science, faced Josh Balk, outreach director of the Humane Society of the United Sates. The event was held in front of an audience of students and faculty comprising the academic community of the Ivy. The debate was sponsored by the Students’ Assemblies Dining Committee and comprised a 10-minute presentation followed by discussion and interchanges.
Balk presented a video documenting five farms with cages “that were not well maintained but remained approved by the United Egg Producers.” The opponent of cage systems also invoked the alleged higher prevalence rate of salmonella infection in caged hens compared to floor housing.
Gail Finan, director of Cornell Dining, noted that the university had recently switched back to conventional from cage-free based on the significant expense. She added that students have not shown much interest in the issue. Other concerns such as local foods and cost were more important factors than housing of hens in purchase decisions.

United Egg Producers address SE crisis, animal welfare

The annual board meeting and executive conference of the United Egg Producers (UEP) held recently in Williamsburg, Va., was detailed in the organization newsletter United Voices. The following initiatives will be implemented.

• The UEP has established a Food Safety Scientific Advisory Council comprising eleven scientific experts to improve industry safety programs.

• The UEP will update the 5-Star Total Quality Assurance Food Safety Program to be presented to the FDA and the FMI for their consideration.

• Funding of approximately $2.7 million will be required for the Michigan State University and the Midwest Universities Consortium to evaluate alternative caged systems, including enriched colony modules.

• Animal welfare guidelines have been established for hatcheries producing pullet chicks, following a 2009 incident involving alleged improper disposal of cockerels.

• The Egg Pack Committee reported contributions for the current year, which exceeded the goal.

• Mark Oldenkemp, of Valley Fresh Foods, was honored as the UEP’s Egg Producer of the Year.

• Howard Helmer received the President’s Award for his long service promoting eggs.

Guest speakers at the conference included Robert Kohlhagn of Diverse Ctiversey Inc. on sustainability. Chuck Conner, president of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, addressed issues relating to cooperatives and activities of the USDA and the Department of Justice. Dr. Cora Morgan of the Food and Drug Administration provided a review on performance measures to access SE reduction and Marie Fenn President, of the National Peanut Board, discussed the salmonella crisis in 2009 affecting peanut products.

Einstein Noah phasing in cage-free eggs

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) issued a recent press release saying that Einstein Noah Restaurant Group will phase in the use of cage-free eggs. There is no indication on the company website of this decision. Although HSUS press releases have highlighted decisions by Burger King and other chains to purchase small quantities of eggs from non-confined flocks, the effect on U.S. production is minimal.
A recent press release from the United Egg Producers (UEP) quotes a survey denoting a 40 to one preference for conventional over “cage-free” eggs. This figure corresponds to the present proportions of caged and non-confined flocks as obtained from industry sources.
It is believed that approximately 92% of all U.S. eggs and almost all shell eggs are produced with conformity to the UEP Welfare Guidelines which are based on scientific principles and evaluation by independent experts.
McDonald's Corp. has rejected the HSUS request to purchase cage-free eggs. This company, in conjunction with other quick-service restaurants, is awaiting the results of a scientific trial to evaluate the welfare and productivity of hens in conventional cages, enriched and colony cages and floor systems.

Data shows consumers buy more regular eggs

American consumers buy regular eggs more than cage-free eggs by 40-to-1, according to checkout scanner data gathered from 34,000 stores by Information Resources Inc. Results were presented recently by the United Egg Producers, a national farmer cooperative and trade association for America’s egg farmers.
Eggs produced in traditional cage housing systems were the most popular eggs among supermarket shoppers, accounting for 92% of the 21 billion eggs bought at stores last year, according data. Cage-free eggs only account for 2% of all retail eggs bought, and organic/free-range eggs accounted for only 1%. Sales of all three types of eggs were relatively flat compared to the previous year.

Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply announces four new members

The Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply recently announced the addition of four new members: Bob Evans Farms Inc., Daybreak Foods Inc., Iowa State University and United Egg Producers. The coalition’s goal is to evaluate the viability of various laying hen housing systems by considering the impact of multiple variables on system sustainability, including environmental impact, food safety, worker safety, animal health and well-being, and food affordability.
“At Bob Evans, we believe in a holistic approach to animal well-being,” said Sommer Mueller, DVM, director of food safety and regulatory compliance for Bob Evans Farms Inc. “We are proud to be part of this coalition, which takes a similar approach to a sustainable egg supply, looking at the balance of food safety, food affordability, animal health and well-being, the environment and worker safety.”
Wendy Wintersteen, dean of Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said, “Iowa State has a rich tradition of using research to provide practical, science-based solutions for agriculture and our work in the CSES will build on that tradition.”
A commercial-scale study of housing alternatives for egg-laying hens in the United States is in development, lead by Michigan State University and the University of California-Davis. The study will include cage-free aviary, enriched housing including nests and perches, and the caged housing environments currently used by the majority of the contemporary U.S. food supply system. The goal of the research is to help food companies and other organizations make informed decisions that are ethically grounded, scientifically verified, economically viable and in alignment with consumer desires.
The membership of CSES includes the American Humane Association, Cargill Kitchen Solutions, McDonald’s USA, Michigan State University and University of California-Davis, along with member-advisors American Veterinary Medical Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. The Environmental Defense Fund is a non-member advisor to the coalition.

United Egg Producers meets with legislators

The government relations committee of United Egg Producers will be reviewing a number of issues with federal legislators, according to the association’s newsletter, United Voices.
Topics to be discussed include welfare and implementation of the FDA rule on salmonella, which is due to take effect on July 9, 2010. These topics have been raised at the level of the House Agriculture Committee and with FDA regulators. HR 4733 would require the U.S. government to purchase eggs only from facilities meeting guidelines similar to those outlined in California’s Proposition 2.

Indiana farmers provide 440,000 eggs to food bank

Midwest Poultry and Bern-Hi Way Hatchery in Indiana have provided more than 440,000 eggs to a food bank in the northeast part of the state, reported the Fort Wayne, Ind., television station WANE.
The donations are part of a three-year-old annual effort by United Egg Producers and Feeding America.

Consumer attitudes on welfare

A report on a recent study on consumer attitudes towards welfare, conducted by agricultural economists F. Bailey Norwood and Jayson Lusk at Oklahoma State University, was published in Farm Gate, a University of Illinois journal. Only 29% of the responders regarded "welfare" to be of low importance. Almost 70% maintained that “animals should not suffer” but that “happiness” is not a consideration with regard to food producing livestock.
A majority of consumers [58%] supported relevant legislation to prevent cruelty and a quarter of those questioned supported the principle of laws to ban housing systems opposed by the majority of citizens. There appears to be considerable support for voluntary labeling of food products with almost half of the respondents in favor of some visible indication of welfare standard and housing system.
The authors of the review analyzed the campaign mounted by United Egg Producers and proponents of confined housing for egg production in relation to the opposition raised by HSUS and kindred organizations. The conflict is entrenched in public perceptions of animal wellbeing and the definition of "welfare." The discrepancy between theory and practice allows organizations opposing intensive animal production to inject emotion into the debate and to distort facts and scientific knowledge to advance their cause. Read the full blog on AnimalAgNet.

UEP comments on EPA greenhouse gas rule

Dr. Tom Hebert, environmental consultant to the United Egg Producers (UEP), recently reported on the status of the EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule.
Reports are scheduled for 2011, but in the case of livestock and poultry operations, only methane or nitrous oxide releases musts be declared. According to calculations performed by Hebert, the 723,600 hen limit is academic since there is no complex in the U.S. which could conceivably exceed the 25,000 metric ton reporting threshold (dry manure).
UEP is currently in communication with EPA to develop a detailed table converting methane and nitrous oxide into carbon dioxide equivalents that form the basis of the 25,000 metric ton greenhouse gas limit. Calculations may have to be developed for large operations using anaerobic lagoons to ensure they conform.
Hebert also commented on the Clean Water Act and the new CWA enforcement plan. According to Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator, “where facilities with large numbers of animals are discharging without a permit or in violation of their permits, they can cause significant pollution problems of concern to communities.”
According to Herbert, CAFOs must register and should be in compliance with respect to storage and spreading of manure.

Antibiotics act meets disapproval

The Coalition for Animal Health, in a letter to speaker Nancy Pelosi, asked that the "Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2009" not be added to bills now being considered, including food-safety and health-care reform legislation.
The bill would ban animal health products that are used to prevent and control diseases from use in livestock and poultry. Farmers only would be allowed to use animal health products that treat diseases.
The bill also would require all "critical antimicrobial animal drugs" to go through a second U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process within two years of enactment of the legislation. Currently to win approval, an animal drug maker must demonstrate that a product is effective and safe for animals and for the environment.
In its letter, the Coalition also noted that the food-safety and health-care reform bills are based on the important principle of prevention.
Among the groups in the Coalition for Animal Health are the National Chicken Council, the National Turkey Federation, United Egg Producers and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association.

US egg farmers reduce salmonella

As a result of the egg industry's proactive efforts, consumers have benefited from reduced rates of Salmonella enteritidis and other food safety concerns, reports Business Wire. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have documented reductions in salmonellosis in states where producers have put egg production safety practices into effect. The programs currently used by egg farmers are designed around food safety and consumer health much in the same way the FDA's new program has been developed.
FDA started in 1999 on egg production safety regulations to address concerns with Salmonella enteritidis in eggs. In the 10 years leading up to these newly announced regulations, egg producers continued to improve egg safety through preventative measures in housing and storage while they waited for the final Federal rule, reports state.
During the FDA's development process, United Egg Producers made suggestions to improve the original proposal for egg safety regulations and, while many guidelines were adapted, some suggestions that the industry still considers important were not accepted.
Egg producers are confident the program will further reduce illness associated from contaminated eggs. They also note that it is important to understand the estimates of reduced illnesses published by FDA are based on statistical extrapolations used to estimate the total number of illnesses, not on a count of illnesses that have actually occurred in the recent past.

Bill intended to extend Proposition 2 out-of-state

California’s $648 million egg industry is – so far – neutral on legislation that would extend the Proposition 2 ban on small cages for egg-laying hens to out-of-state producers. The bill is being championed by the same groups that backed Proposition 2 according to the report in PE.com.
Supporters, reportedly including legislators who opposed Proposition 2, say the bill will help California's egg industry compete with out-of-state producers who, under current law, will not need to comply with the ruling when it takes effect in 2015.
An Assembly committee analysis of the bill raised concerns that expanding Proposition 2's rules to out-of-state egg producers could violate the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution meant to prevent states from restricting imports from other states.
California egg producers are forming a new group, the Association of California Egg Farmers, mainly to deal with Proposition 2's implementation.

Poultry, egg industries urge registration of farms

The National Chicken Council (NCC), National Turkey Federation (NTF) and United Egg Producers (UEP) are urging farmers to register their premises with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) to help protect their poultry producers in the event of an outbreak of disease.
Working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the trade associations for poultry and eggs have developed and are distributing a brochure, “First Steps: Register Your Premises,” which encourages growers to register their farms.
The brochure is being distributed to the membership of all three associations. While registration is voluntary in most states, NTF, NCC and UEP encourage poultry growers and egg producers to register their premises to assist state governments and first responders in reacting to a disease problem.
“We urge all broiler growers to register their premises with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS),” said NCC President George Watts. “Getting registered means chicken producers will be informed promptly if there is a serious animal disease outbreak in the vicinity. This will help protect the flock and the grower’s livelihood.”
“NTF members recognize the importance of registering turkey production premises and encourage all growers to register their production sites with their respective state premises registration systems,” said NTF President Joel Brandenberger.
The UEP board of directors supports premises registration for egg production facilities. UEP encourages producers to register their premises under NAIS through state agencies and poultry associations working with USDA.
UEP President and CEO Gene Gregory said, “Egg producers have worked hard to prevent an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the nation’s layer flock. At the same time, they have spent vast resources in preparing for such an outbreak anywhere in the United States.
The ability to assess vulnerability to egg layer sites or other poultry farms and contain quickly any outbreak depends on readily available and accurate premises information.”Poultry growers and egg layers can obtain a copy of the brochure by contacting NCC, NTF or UEP.