United Egg Producers, the largest organization representing egg producers in the United States, has made a deal with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Rather than spending $10 to $15 million to fight egg
farmers, HSUS negotiated the deal that they are jointly taking to politicians
in Washington, urging them to pass a law setting minimum standards for caging
laying hens.
The farmers have agreed to double cage space per layer, to
add perches and nesting boxes in return for peace with HSUS. The new standards are to be phased in over 15 years, meaning barns can be re-equipped when cages are likely to be due for replacement.
There are no indications that the egg marketing boards in
Canada have approached animal activist organizations with a view to reaching a
similar truce. There have, however, been talks aimed at developing new Codes of Practice which are voluntary welfare standards.
Those talks involve a broad spectrum of interests, including leaders of relatively moderate animal welfare groups that are not nearly as activist as HSUS and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
