The United States Senate has rejected the inclusion of Farm Bill amendment #2252, the "Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012." The amendment, introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, would have ratified an agreement between United Egg Producers and the Humane Society of the United States to legislate a national standard on the treatment of laying hens.
The amendment was vigorously opposed by most livestock groups and food animal veterinarians including AASV. The objections to the legislation center on the concern about codifying production standards in federal regulation and not on the welfare standards themselves. Adoption of the legislation could set a precedent for similar legislation in other livestock industries and may serve to stymie future welfare research efforts.
While the Senators will not consider the amendment during upcoming Farm Bill discussions, it could reappear in the House version of the bill.