A deal with the devil or a shrewd political compromise: that is the debate surrounding an alliance between the United Egg Producers and the Humane Society of the United States. On Tuesday, Indiana egg farmers and HSUS officials will make their case at a press conference at the Indiana State Fair. According to a release from HSUS, “Indiana’s egg farmers, UEP and HSUS will be at the Indiana State Fairgrounds to call on the Indiana congressional delegation to support and vote for the passage of the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendment. They will explain how the legislation benefits consumers, farmers, grocers, restaurateurs and hens, as well as how the investment will bring new manufacturing, construction, transportation and installation jobs to hundreds of communities in the state.”
The event will take place Tuesday morning at the Farm Bureau building on the State Fairgrounds. Speakers will include: representatives from all Indiana egg farms; Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO, The Humane Society of the United States; Chad Gregory, president elect, United Egg Producers; and Anne Sterling, Indiana state director for The HSUS.
According to the UEP, approximately 98 percent of the 28.2 million laying hens in Indiana are being raised by supporters of the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (S. 3239/H.R. 3798). Two members of Indiana’s congressional delegation, Reps. Dan Burton, R-5th, and Andre Carson, D-7th, are co-sponsors of H.R. 3798.
Many farm groups and livestock organizations are opposed to the legislation saying it would set a precedent of allowing the government to dictate production standards. About half of the nations egg producers who are not part of UEP also oppose the legislation.