Given the history between the egg industry and animal protection groups, UEP stunned the animal agriculture community in July 2011 with an announcement that it would work jointly with HSUS to push for federal legislation to regulate how U.S. table eggs are produced. The agreement between UEP and HSUS was signed July 7, 2011, and called for legislation that would set cage sizes, establish labeling requirements, and regulate other production practices. As part of the agreement, HSUS agreed to immediately suspend state-level ballot initiative efforts in Oregon and Washington to end the use of conventional cages. The bills also include labeling requirements to disclose how eggs are produced, and air quality, molting, and euthanasia standards for laying hens. UEP views the bills as being in the long-term survival interest of American egg farmers, and a wide range of groups have expressed support for the legislation. Legislative Activity

		113th Congress

On April 25, 2013, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2013 were introduced in the Senate ( S. 820 ) and House ( H.R. 1731 ). The two bills are identical and reflect the 2011 agreement between UEP and HSUS (see " UEP-HSUS Agreement ," below) that would establish uniform, national cage size requirements for table egg-laying hen housing over a 15- to 16-year phase-in period. The egg legislation was not included in the committee draft, nor was it considered during the May 14, 2013, Senate Agriculture Committee markup of the 2013 farm bill. During the floor debate on the Senate farm bill ( S. 954 ), Senator Feinstein submitted the egg bill as S.Amdt. 1057 , but it was not considered by the Senate. 1731 . The King amendment was not included in the Agricultural Act of 2014 ( P.L. UEP-HSUS Agreement

		United Egg Producers (UEP)

United Egg Producers (UEP) is the largest U.S. egg producer group in the United States. The agreement included seven key provisions pertaining to the production of shell eggs and egg products that would:
require, over a phase-in period, that conventional cage systems be replaced with enriched cage systems that double the amount of floor space per laying hen; require that the new enriched cage systems provide perches, nesting boxes, and scratching areas so that laying hens can express natural behaviors; mandate labeling on all egg cartons nationwide to inform consumers of the housing method used to produce the eggs; prohibit withholding of feed or water to force molting to extend the laying cycle; require standards approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association for euthanasia for egg-laying hens; prohibit excessive ammonia levels in henhouses; and prohibit the buying and selling of eggs and egg products that do not meet the standards. UEP and HSUS have been adversaries for many years over the use of conventional cages in table egg production, and the agreement is a marked shift in direction for both organizations. For HSUS, the agreement to work with a major livestock group could result in significant federal farm animal welfare legislation. Both UEP and HSUS have indicated that it was in the interest of both sides to halt costly state-by-state battles over caged eggs that result in a variety of laws across the country. For California, S. 820 and H.R. 1731 set deadlines for adding enrichments and expanding floor space requirements based on whether cages are new or existing (see " Housing Requirements ," below). The legislation also requires that any eggs bought or sold in California meet the California requirements in the legislation, no matter where the eggs are produced. For California, S. 820 and H.R. S. 820 and H.R. 3798 and S. 3239 were endorsed by agricultural, veterinary, consumer, and animal protection groups. Opponents argue that pursuing legislation at the federal level had consequences that could impact all livestock and poultry producers. Similar legislation for other livestock or poultry industries seemed unlikely. Opponents were also concerned that the egg legislation would be a move away from the long established position shared among animal agriculture groups that animal husbandry decisions affecting welfare should be based on the best available science. As the UEP-HSUS agreement and H.R. Legislation has been introduced in the past several congresses to address farm animal welfare.
The United Egg Producers (UEP), the largest group representing egg producers, and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the largest animal protection group, have been adversaries for many years over the use of conventional cages in table egg production. In July 2011, the animal agriculture community was stunned when the UEP and HSUS announced that they had agreed to work together to push for federal legislation to regulate how U.S. table eggs are produced. The agreement between UEP and HSUS called for federal legislation that would set cage sizes, establish labeling requirements, and regulate other production practices. As part of the agreement, HSUS agreed to immediately suspend state-level ballot initiative efforts in Oregon and Washington.
On April 25, 2013, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2013 (S. 820 and H.R. 1731) were introduced in the 113th Congress. The bills are nearly identical to the legislation that was introduced during the 112th Congress (S. 3239 and H.R. 3798). The provisions in S. 820 and H.R. 1731 reflect the 2011 agreement between UEP and HSUS to establish uniform, national cage size requirements for table egg-laying hens. The bills would codify national standards for laying-hen housing over a 15- to 16-year phase-in period, including labeling requirements to disclose how eggs are produced, and set air quality, molting, and euthanasia standards for laying hens.
Compared with the bills from the 112th Congress, S. 820 and H.R. 1731 add provisions specific to California that establish deadlines based on whether or not cages are new or existing, and add a four-step phase-in period for California producers. The legislation also requires that any eggs bought or sold in California meet the California requirements in the legislation, no matter where the eggs are produced.
The agreement and legislation were a marked shift in direction for both UEP and HSUS. UEP views the legislation as being in the long-term survival interest of American egg farmers. It says that egg producers would benefit from national egg standards that halt costly state-by-state battles over caged eggs that result in a variety of laws across the country. For HSUS, which has actively campaigned for cage-free egg production, accepting enriched cages was a compromise, but one that could result in significant federal farm animal welfare legislation. Egg legislation has been endorsed by a wide range of agricultural, veterinary, consumer, and animal protection groups.
Farm group opponents have criticized egg legislation for several reasons. First, they are concerned that the bills federally mandate management practices for farm animals, something that has not been done in the past. These groups argue that the bills could set a precedent, paving the way for future legislation on animal welfare for other livestock and poultry industries. Opponents hold the view that the cage requirements are not science-based, and undermine long-standing views that animal husbandry practices should be based on the best available science. They also argue that codifying cage standards today ignores innovations that could appear in the future. Additionally, opponents are concerned that the capital cost of transitioning to enriched cages would be high, and could be prohibitive for small producers.
UEP and HSUS and other supporters favor moving egg legislation forward through the farm bill process, but other livestock groups strongly oppose this legislative route. Reportedly, S. 820 was considered for inclusion in the Senate Agriculture Committee 2013 farm bill draft, but it was not included. Senator Feinstein's submitted egg bill amendment (S.Amdt. 1057) was not considered during the Senate farm bill (S. 954) floor debate. The House-passed farm bill (H.R. 2642) included Section 12312, known as the King amendment, which would have prohibited states from imposing standards on agricultural products produced in other states. The final Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79) did not include the amendment.