ATLANTA -- Animal welfare issues continue to concern members of the United Egg Producers, despite implementation by UEP members of science-based animal welfare guidelines.
Gene Gregory, UEP president, noted that more than 80 percent of egg farming companies have adopted the UEP Certified guidelines. However, he said, "this has not relieved us from attacks by animal activists and vegan groups."
The animal welfare issue was addressed during UEP meetings held here in conjunction with the recent International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo.
The UEP guidelines were implemented, Gregory said, not to satisfy animal activists, but to "improve the health and welfare of our egg-laying hens."
"We accomplished our mission but our job is not done," Gregory said.
Animal activists have pushed legislation in California and Michigan to establish regulations for cages for egg-laying hens. However, egg industry members have said that exactly what is required is vague.
Egg farmers in those states "are questioning what type of housing will be allowed when the dates of state legislation come into implementation," Gregory said.
"While they wonder," Gregory said, "egg farmers in other states also worry about when legislation that impairs their ability to produce an abundance of affordable, safe food will be challenged."
Measures dealing with animal welfare issues have already been introduced in several states.
Indiana is looking a a new animal welfare bill that would allow the existing board of animal health to establish standards governing livestock and poultry care. A Nebraska bill would adopt the Livestock Animal Welfare Act with misdemeanor penalties for abandonment, neglect or mistreatment of livestock.
Kentucky has approved a bill that will create a commission to establish a new set of farm animal welfare standards. In Missouri, agricultural organizations, include the Egg Council and the Poultry Federation, have formed a coalition to protect and strengthen animal agriculture in the state. South Dakota's laws governing the treatment of livestock and work animals will come under review this year and changes could be made during the 2011 legislative session.
Oklahoma has proposed legislation to create a 13-member Oklahoma Livestock Care Standards Board to establish standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry.
The Oklahoma measure is similar to one passed by voters in Ohio in November 2009.
In Ohio a broad coalition of state agriculture groups sought to out-maneuver animal activists by supporting legislation for a ballot measure that would create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board to oversee standards for how farm animals are treated.
The ballot measure was approved by 60 percent of Ohio voters, but implementing legislation must still be passed.
Meanwhile, a group called Ohioans for Humane Farms, supported by the Humane Society of the United States, has proposed a second constitutional amendment which would require the Livestock Care Standards Board to adopt certain minimum standards for care and well-being of farm animals. Among the measures proposed, the minimum requirements the Livestock Care Standards Board would be required to adopt include one prohibiting the "confinement of veal calves, pregnant pigs and egg-laying hens on a farm, for all or the majority of any day, in a way that prevents the animal from laying down, standing up, fully extending his or her limbs, or turning around freely."
Gregory noted that today's society knows little about the true mission of the Humane Society of the United States. Many people contribute to HSUS thinking it supports humane shelters or helps pets, he said.
"When our society is so removed from the farm and how we produce food -- it is easy to understand why the public is so willing to accept the HSUS campaigns to end farm animal abuse," Gregory said.
Actions taken by UEP to counter HSUS activities include:
Communicate with Congress on challenges presented by animal activists and report on positive things egg farmers have and are doing in regard to farm animal welfare.
Published a new brochure on "American Egg Farming" distributed to members of Congress as well as retailers and producers.
Published the Promar economic study which showed that banning modern egg production in the U.S. would have an adverse affect on consumers, taxpayers, the environment and the U.S. trade balance.
Created a new video narrated by Mike Rowe on egg farming.
Organized the donation of 12 million eggs at Easter to food banks across the country.
Added a "Caretaker's Code of Conduct" to the UEP animal welfare guidelines as a defense against potential undercover videos.
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