The following may aid in-class discussion of the PowerPoint presentation:

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q. Why was the United Egg Producers Certified program created?

A.  Surveys and polls reveal that consumers trust farmers to make responsible decisions concerning the welfare of their animals. The United Egg Producers Certified program was created to maintain this confidence. Egg farmers care about treating hens properly and are committed to providing American consumers with the safest and best-quality eggs in the world. The United Egg Producers Certified program also was developed to assure consumers that approved, science-based animal-care guidelines are being met in the egg industry, supported by independent monitoring and USDA involvement.

Q. How were these standards developed?

A. The United Egg Producers formed an independent advisory committee consisting of leaders from six universities, a veterinarian, the American Humane Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (ARS). For almost two years the committee reviewed all aspects involved in the care and treatment of egg-laying hens, including cage size, food and water availability, protection from injury and disease, production practices and general welfare. The Food Marketing Institute and the National Council of Chain Restaurants endorse the guidelines established by the committee.

Q. What does United Egg Producers Certified mean?

A. The United Egg Producers Certified program and logo are a guarantee to consumers that their eggs come from a farm that follows responsible and modern production methods, commits to meet 100% of the requirements and agrees to periodic independent audits.

Q. Are hens in cages over-crowded?

A.  No. United Egg Producers Certified standards have minimum space requirements for each hen based on the breed. These standards call for increased space for egg-laying hens. The United Egg Producers Certified program also requires that all hens in a cage are able to reach food at the same time, and that they have adequate watering facilities. Housing standards include protection from environmental extremes and predators and must facilitate daily care and inspection of birds. Egg farmers also recognized the need to phase-in the increasing space over a period of six years to avoid severe market disruptions and severe egg shortages. This phase-in period allows farmers time to build housing to replace the number of hens removed from existing houses.

Q. Why are cages necessary? Did the committee consider recommending free-range or cage-free environments?

A. The committee reviewed and considered all egg-production systems, including free-range and cage-free. They concluded that all systems have advantages and disadvantages. Because 98% of eggs in the United States and most of the world are produced in cages, the committee focused its recommendations on cage production. The standards recommended and adopted for the United Egg Producers Certified program reflect egg farmers’ objective to produce safe, high-quality and economical eggs that meet U.S. consumer demand – more than 73 billion whole eggs annually. Free-range and cage-free environments are not without hazards and complications, and the nutrient content of eggs from these sources is no different from production facilities with cages.