Additional events that shaped the egg industry in 2019

January 9, 2020

  • The Supreme Court declined to hear arguments against state laws setting animal welfare production standards. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) worked to pass state laws in Washington, Oregon and Michigan requiring all shell eggs and egg products, produced and sold, to follow UEP Certified Cage-Free space allowance by 2024 (Washington and Oregon) and 2025 (Michigan). HSUS pursued similar legislation in Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado, Maine and Massachusetts.
  • Virulent Newcastle Disease in California continued to spread, and Coryza festered in the Northeast
  • The 2015 Waters of the U.S Rule (WOTUS) was officially repealed
  • HSUS and Compassion in World Farming continued tracking retailers, manufacturers and restaurants on their cage free commitments
  • The six Phase 1 winners of the $6 million Egg-Tech Prize were announced by FFAR, supporting companies and organizations that are developing feasible technology that accurately and rapidly performs in-ovo sexing
  • USDA AMS grading fees increased
  • Plant-based meat and egg products gained market share raising concerns about labeling and consumer confusion
  • Property and casualty insurance for egg farms continued to be volatile after large losses