CDFA public hearing on Prop 12 on August 27

August 26, 2021

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), jointly with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), will convene a hearing to take public comments on the proposed rules associated with Proposition 12. The hearing will take place virtually on August 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT. The CDFA and CDPH will accept oral or written statements during the hearing. Oral testimony will be limited to two minutes per speaker and will be recorded.

During UEP Area Briefings, there were discussions about the need for uniform cage-free labeling requirements under various state laws to alleviate the burden on producers and carton manufacturers to produce and stock state-specific cartons in the future. Uniform labeling could potentially eliminate the “CA Cage-free” statements requirement and replace it with a generic cage-free label.   However, these proposed regulations will not affect the need for the California Shell Egg Food Safety declaration on the label for products destined for California.

There are two ways to participate in the public hearing. To provide oral testimony at the hearing, please call 1-866-831-8616, access code: 54025. To only listen and not give oral testimony during the public hearing, use this link for the audio livestream of the hearing.

Written comments, postmarked by August 27, may be mailed to Dr. Elizabeth Cox, Program Manager, CDFA  Animal Care Program, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. In addition, written comments can be submitted electronically to AnimalCare@cdfa.ca.gov on August 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT.