September 7, 2010

 

American egg industry alarmed about efforts to limit cage sizes 

 

 

Egg producers in the US are alarmed by efforts to ban small cages for hens, a movement that is gaining momentum.

 

The 550 million eggs recalled in connection with the salmonella contamination came from hens housed in industrial-style "battery cages."

 

The cages are common throughout the industry but have been increasingly targeted by animal welfare groups as inhumane and unsanitary. However, major egg producers said switching to cage-free methods would do little to improve safety and would add to the price of eggs.

 

Cage-free eggs commonly cost about twice as much as those produced by caged hens. The industry said even if cage-free eggs were mass-produced, the average cost per dozen still would be about 25% higher.

 

In California, new legislation spearheaded by the Humane Society of the United States will eliminate the use of conventional battery cages starting in 2015. Companies linked to the DeCoster family of Iowa, which is at the centre of the current salmonella outbreak, helped fund a US$9 million effort to defeat the measure, which Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law this summer.

 

Michigan has also adopted cage limits, which will take effect in 2019, while less-stringent regulations have been approved in several other states. Ohio announced an agreement between animal rights activists and industry groups last month that will bar new battery-cage facilities but exempt current operators.

 

Many fast-food restaurants, such as Burger King and Subway, are also increasing their use of cage-free eggs, while Compass Group, the world's largest food-service provider, now uses them exclusively.