The Association of California Egg Farmers has announced its support for the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012 introduced by U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein.
Among the bill's provisions, it would establish a national housing standard for egg-laying hens. It proposes similar requirements to a bill introduced earlier in 2012 in the House of Representatives, HR 3798, and it is jointly supported by the Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers. The Egg Products Inspection Act would recognize the enriched colony system as the new national housing standard for laying hens instead of conventional cages. The enriched colony system enables hens to sit, stand, stretch and turn around in a clean, safe enclosure that protects hens from outside predators. The colony system house provides 116 square inches of space compared to 67 square inches of space in a conventional cage.
"Passing the Egg Products Inspection Act would be a historic improvement for hundreds of millions of animals per year," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. "It is always our greatest hope to find common ground and to forge solutions, even with traditional adversaries. We hope Congress seizes the opportunity to embrace this legislative collaboration and mutual understanding."
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