United Egg Producers’ 2025 January meeting, chaired by Mike West, opened with industry-focused discussions with over 300 UEP members, UEA members, and industry stakeholders in attendance. Membership qualifications were updated under the new membership agreement, and various committee reports were presented, including updates on animal health, welfare, food safety, government relations, and sustainability. A significant portion of the meeting centered on the ongoing challenges of HPAI, emphasizing strategies to mitigate its spread within the egg industry. UEP staff and consultants assured the Board that proactive measures are being taken to address the situation and previewed the Strike Team plans. The meeting also touched on general industry issues and ongoing efforts to navigate regulatory and public policy changes.

The Animal Health and Biosecurity Issues Briefing and Committee Meeting, chaired by Sherman Miller, focused on updates related to HPAI and other critical industry concerns. UEP's SVP for food safety and regulatory affairs, Oscar Garrison, provided updates on recent HPAI detections and facilitated group discussions on the virus' transmission and related research needs. UEP consultant Randy Green and Garrison reviewed documents for the upcoming D.C. Strike Team meeting, emphasizing the importance of continued producer presence in Washington, D.C. The committee also discussed additional priorities and research needs in relation to HPAI. The meeting also covered new HPAI pet food policies from FSIS and CVM, as well as the HPAI food safety messaging approved by USDA.

The UEP Food Safety Issues Briefing and Committee Meeting, chaired by Kim Rice, included updates on key topics affecting the egg industry. Jeff Hendricks of AMS reported on temperature compliance, pre-op sanitation, and a six-month progress update on SmartApps. There was an update on the Traceability Rule and a reminder of plans for a potential webinar to help egg producers better understand the rule's impact on farmers. UEP consultant Randy Green reviewed ongoing regulatory issues, including date labeling and plant-based product labeling, stressing the importance of federal preemption and advocating for clear distinctions between eggs and plant-based alternatives. The committee stressed the continued need to focus on food safety alongside biosecurity efforts.

During the UEP Animal Welfare Issues Briefing and Committee meeting, chaired by Roger Seger, Dr. Larry Sadler, SVP of Animal Welfare, reminded producers that audit preferences are due on February 7, 2025, and that all audits must be completed by November 30, 2025. David Will led a discussion on organic topics, followed by Dr. Sadler, who provided updates on the UEP Certified program, including a focus on cage-free promotion and feather scoring standards. UEP welcomed Roger Pelissero, Owner of Pelissero's Farm and Chairman of Egg Farmers of Canada, who discussed the implementation of in-ovo sexing technology in Canada, highlighting its potential to improve animal welfare by eliminating the culling of male chicks. Dr. Sadler also covered the UEP's certification process for in-ovo sexing and the next steps with UEP Certified Hatch Check.

Doug Mack chaired the Environment and Sustainability Issues Briefing and Committee Meeting and shared key EPA updates. UEP consultant Lauren Lurkins led discussions on the nomination of Lee Zeldin as EPA administrator, ongoing efforts related to the CAFO rule, and the extended comment period for EPA's air emission methodologies, which ends in May 2025. The committee also reviewed the EPA's PFAS biosolid risk assessment, the nitrate IRIS effort, and the Ohio Lake Erie litigation. Additionally, the group discussed the new National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 150 sprinkler standard, effective January 1, 2025, in 11 states.

The Government Relations Issues Briefing and Committee Meeting, chaired by Brian Kreher, opened with discussions on upcoming D.C. Strike Team meetings addressing HPAI. Jeff Hendricks of AMS updated the committee on USDA egg purchases and staff changes. Regulatory matters, including the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report and FDA guidance on plant-based alternatives, were reviewed, with members urged to submit comments before deadlines. The committee also discussed potential topics for May 2025 position papers, focusing on HPAI, immigration, and other related issues. The meeting concluded with a report on EGGPAC and the upcoming EGGPAC event at the Washington Nationals stadium during UEP's May Meetings.