Bill requires all eggs sold in California to be from cage-fee hens

Sacramento Bee ^ | 6/3/9 | Jim Downing

[SmithL]

California voters freed the state's egg-laying hens last fall, but Proposition 2 left a big loophole: Supermarkets could still sell eggs laid by caged birds in other states.

Now, animal-welfare advocates are backing legislation requiring every egg sold in California to be from a cage-free hen.

Assembly Bill 1437 would greatly expand the scope of the state's ban on standard egg-laying cages, which is scheduled to take effect in 2015.

Economists predict Proposition 2, on its own, will drive up imports of cheap, conventionally produced eggs, pushing many in-state farms out of business.

If AB 1437 passes, though, it would make the entire California market – about 10 percent of the nation's eggs – cage-free. That huge demand, backers hope, would support California farms as they convert to cage-free production and drive some big egg farms elsewhere in the country to scrap their cages as well.

California now buys about a third of its eggs from other states.

[SmithL]

Food prices skyrocket!
Women, children and minorities hit hardest!

[nina0113]

They’re just bound and determined to starve themselves to death out there, aren’t they?

[Jeff Head]

No wonder these idiots are absolutely and wholly bankrupt.

[villagerjoel]

So those of you who live in California will soon have no eggs available in the free market?

[the invisib1e hand]

are leashed-hen’s eggs acceptable?

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Economists predict Proposition 2, on its own, will drive up imports of cheap, conventionally produced eggs, pushing many in-state farms out of business.

Economics 101 applies to California? Who knew?

[svcw]

The eggs taste better but they are about 50% more expensive.
I hate California.

[RexBeach]

Now how in the world is anyone going to know if the eggs ARE from cage free hens?

Oh yes. Another opportunity for the state to hire more agri inspectors.

“Say, are those hens cage free?” No? You’re under arrest. Come with me to the chicken coop.”

[the invisib1e hand]

Food prices skyrocket! Women, children and minorities hit hardest!

Egg-zactly.

[RC2]

If you do buy eggs, it will cost a fortune. California will do anything it can to ruin business. Beware, Californians are moving out of the state in huge numbers. These idiots will be moving into your states and they will, eventually, attempt to change your laws. The same thing happened to Oregon.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

They have California chicken and egg inspectors roaming the chickenyards. The inspectors are paid $350,000/year and get full retirement at 55.

[Ikemeister]

I thought the libs said that eggs were bad for you.

[St. Louis Conservative]

It doesn’t matter. Those chickens must be cage free....who cares if Californians suffer or that it bankrupts California farms.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

They have California chicken and egg inspectors roaming the chickenyards. The inspectors are paid $350,000/year and get full retirement at 55.

[Walmartian]

Someone needs to invent a little chicken shock collar.

[ken in texas]

The eggs taste better ....

Just curious, in what way do they taste "better"?

[ken21]

all schools and universities should be socialist free too.

[A message]

My Oakland born, raised in San Leandro, lived in Hayward, wife is pressuring me now almost every day to GET US THE HELL OUT OF HERE.

[InvisibleChurch]

It sounds like they’re inspired by the thought of “free range” terrorists, allowed to roam the world after release from Git-Mo.

[Damifino]

I don't eat free-range chicken. Ever see what a yard-bird does after it poops? It turns around and eats it! A caged bird's poop falls thru the mesh.

[MrB]

Leftists/liberals hardly ever think beyond stage one.

[indylindy]

California is a state of total dolts. They ARE Obama’s model for all of America.

Suicide for all.

[svcw]

I can’t explain it but there s a difference. They are just more substantial tasting somehow.

[ontap]

Kalifornia is awash in people out of work and businesses leaving and the state most assuredly headed into bankruptcy and these bastards are worried about the chickens!

[tflabo]

Why not let the chickens roam about freely like they do in 3rd world countries since we are rapidly moving that direction anyway. Yardbirds and liberty for all! The roosters will be quite busy!

[MrB]

State sovereignty is the only way to quarantine leftist madness.

[piroque]

The eggs taste better .... Just curious, in what way do they taste "better"?

Just a little something about that "rooster"

[GOYAKLA]

Move to Florida and help us make this state RED again! We have too many Libtards from New England states and other “Illegals”....

[Navy Patriot]

I wonder if they can get this by interstate commerce?

[keepitreal]

Will they subsidize poor people to buy these more expensive eggs?

[DBrow]

It will be easy for me to comply. I’ll put little “cage free” stickers on the eggs, then sell them through a cooperative.

Much cheaper than tearing down the laying houses.

Maybe a kickback or two to the coop and distributor would help.

This technique works well with my “organic” kumquats and beets.

[paul51]

killed everything else. Might as well kill the egg business also

[ken in texas]

I knew there was a scientific reason.

[Jolla]

Wonder if my neighbors would mind being awakened by a rooster around 4 every morning. I have missed Grannies fresh eggs for 40 years.

[Cheetahcat]

Idiots!!! You do not mess with the food supply, this has to be some old 60’s hippy crap!

[Dead Corpse]

Let’s oblige them. Cut off all goods from other States going to Kalifornistan.

[ontap]

While cage-free systems meet basic needs, they also tend to be more perilous. Hens get sick and injured more often, and die at roughly twice the rate of birds in cages, according to studies of egg farms in Europe.

Only in the head of a stupid ass liberal does this make sense!!

[Don Corleone]

The madness is really pervasive in California. Must be in the water. Drink only beer brewed in other states.

[Old Professer]

How about organic water?

[Oldpuppymax]

So in 6 months, eggs will be $20.00 per dozen! I guess the yolks on them!

[onedoug]

Lousy law.

That being said, I already eat free range eggs. Kosher too.

[TomOnTheRun]

— Just curious, in what way do they taste “better”

The yolks are creamier. They make better cakes, cookies, and omelette.

The whites whip into meringues with slightly more body and hold longer.

I even notice that a plain fried egg has little extra something from cage free hens.

Sorry. I’m a serious foodie.

[Boiling Pots]

Liberals would say the answer is to force the other states to produce cage-free eggs too.

Just like their answer to GM’s enormous legacy and union costs was to force Toyota to adopt the same employee contracts, so they’re all “equal.”

[HomeschoolMomma]

I can’t explain it but there s a difference. They are just more substantial tasting somehow.

Usually if the eggs are "cage free" the people that run the farm often also run an "organic" farm. The taste of the eggs depends on the feed of the chicken. Kind of a garbage in - garbage out thing. Better feed results in better eggs. That's probably why the eggs taste better and also why you pay more.

[MaxMax]

CA residents are leaving in droves, just look at what's happening to Nevada.
They're taking their voting habits and purist agenda with them.

[TomOnTheRun]

Ok. I’m a SERIOUS foodie that buys cage free hen eggs all the time because I like the texture and taste much more.

I pay maybe $0.30 more per dozen. Are the rest of you really paying that much more? If so, why is Texas getting the good deals?

[MaxMax]

How about organic water?

LOL, whoever invents powdered water will be set for life.

[17th Miss Regt]

are leashed-hen’s eggs acceptable?

My hens are not caged, but I make them wear leather outfits with chains and little studded dog collars. Does that count?

[GreyFriar]

The state deserves to collapse economically if they keep on passing this type of legislation. They drove the aircraft industry out a couple of decades ago, how much longer until they decide that Silicon Valley should be evicted as well?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Standard Statist MO. Start small, get it passed, then immediately come back for more, more, more and more until all your freedoms are gone. Welcome to tyranny and "soft despotism."