The Association Of California Egg Farmers announced its support for the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012 introduced by Diane Feinstein, just as the Humane Farming Association (HFA) and other animal protection organizations relayed their opposition to the proposed law.
According to the Association of California Egg Farmers, the Act would establish a national housing standard for egg laying hens. It proposes similar requirements to a bill introduced earlier in the year in the House of Representatives, HR 3798, and it is jointly supported by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the United Egg Producers (UEP).
"Passing the Egg Products Inspection Act would be a historic improvement for hundreds of millions of animals per year," stated Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States in a statement announcing the agreement.
HFA opposed the bill, arguing that it would establish egg factory "cages" as a standard that "could never be challenged or changed." Bradley Miller, National Director of HFA said, "This bill would preempt state laws, such as California's Proposition 2, and is a direct assault upon egg laying hens, voters, and states' rights."
In addition to HFA, opponents of H.R. 3798 include organizations such as Friends of Animals, United Poultry Concerns, Last Chance for Animals and Action for Animals.
"Even if this measure passes, the majority of hens will remain entombed in battery cages on factory farms," said Karen Davis, PhD, President of United Poultry Concerns.
