UEP committee briefings overview and election results

October 24, 2024

At the 2024 Joint Annual Executive Conference, UEP re-elected officers during the Board meeting on Oct. 17: Mike West as chair; J.T. Dean as vice chair; Sherman Miller as treasurer; and Sandra Lausecker as secretary. The Board also elected representatives for each respective Area, and 15 at-large members.

The Animal Welfare Issues Briefing, led by Chair Roger Seger, convened to address several critical topics pertaining to hen welfare. UEP President and CEO Chad Gregory presented updates on the UEP Certified program, outlining upcoming changes slated for 2025, which include The Unscrambled Egg campaign, and development of recent on-farm resources available to producers  (English and Spanish versions) from a grant provided by U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. The meeting highlighted the ongoing commitment of UEP and its members to promote higher standards in animal welfare and adapt to the evolving landscape of the egg industry.

Kim Rice chaired the Food Safety Briefing and discussed many pressing issues related to food safety, particularly on recent Salmonella outbreaks. UEP's Oscar Garrison provided a detailed update on a multi-state Salmonella outbreak affecting FDA-exempt flocks that have been commingled. Garrison also mentioned potential risks for the industry and proposed several strategies to mitigate these challenges. UEP plans to host a food safety and crisis management webinar later this year to equip producers with the necessary tools to navigate potential food safety crises effectively.

The Environment and Sustainability Briefing was chaired by Doug Mack. Mack and UEP consultant Lauren Lurkins shared key environmental updates, which included the NFPA sprinkler standard, Animal Ag Water Quality subcommittee updates, and numerous EPA updates. The committee received updates on ongoing litigation, including the Food and Water Watch CAFO Rule Litigation in the Ninth Circuit and the Ohio Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) litigation, signaling a commitment to advance UEP's environmental initiatives.

The Government Relations Issues Briefing, chaired by Brian Kreher, highlighted the committee’s priorities with an emphasis on the formation of the UEP DC Strike Team. Jeff Hendricks from USDA-AMS presented updates on the AMS Digital Egg Grading Data and the new SmartApps service. UEP consultants Randy Green and Louie Perry provided legislative updates on the delayed Farm Bill, appropriations, and tax legislation, along with regulatory updates on dietary guidelines, “Healthy” egg claims, and labeling guidance for egg imitators. The session concluded with a discussion on upcoming elections and their implications for the industry.

UEP rounded out the day with the Animal Health and Biosecurity Briefing, chaired by Sherman Miller. The committee welcomed Dr. Sherry Burrer of the CDC to discuss public health challenges related to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). She outlined the evolving nature of the virus and its implications for public health – urging the importance of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) use for all on-farm employees and visitors. Garrison emphasized the need for further discussion on the response to HPAI detections, and that UEP should advocate for APHIS and the CDC to enhance efforts in mitigating the virus' spread.