Eggmagedon in Massachusetts

[Raptor]

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2021/06/15/changes-sought-to-2016-animal-rights-referendum-to-avoid-egg-armageddon

A law passed in 2016 is finally being phased in and lo and behold the law had some issues (it assumed the entire us egg industry would change for MA) which means that come January 1, 2022 chicken eggs in MA may be in short supply.

The rules would also apply to eggs imported from other states.

"That's not just eggs. It's egg products, as well," said Bob Beauregard, general manager of The Country Hen in Hubbardston. "So hard-cooked eggs, liquid eggs would all have to be removed from the shelf come Jan. 1 if the law does not change."

The state of MA has been working on a correction since Oct 2021. With Jan 1 so near it will be interesting to see what happens.

[Anianna]

The bill would allow 1 square foot of floor space only for cage-free hens that are kept in a newer, so-called "aviary" style of facility. These kind of farms have become an industry standard outside Massachusetts, and allow the chickens access to significantly more vertical space, via ramps and elevated platforms.

If the farmers in Mass without vertical features just add some vertical features, that would count as footage sufficient for the Mass bill.  It sounds to me like chicken farms outside of Mass are largely aviary farms that already have vertical features and a 1ft/bird space on the floor, so they would also meet the Mass requirement and the speculations of the interviewees in the article are overblown.  In my experience, chickens that aren't crowded and have vertical features are easier to care for, don't fight as much, and produce well.  If you are keeping chickens without vertical features, you're a monster, imo. 

I'd be curious to see how much potential egg production is available that will meet the state's requirement as opposed to the demand within the state. 

[Raptor]

I'd be curious to see how much potential egg production is available that will meet the state's requirement as opposed to the demand within the state.

Sorry I thought I had included this link. By my math in state egg production is about ~ 6% of the demand.
https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-potential-egg-shortage-animal-welfare-law-impact-december-2021/38514384

Brad Mitchell, head of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau, told NewsCenter 5 that there will likely be some egg shortages and price hikes as a result of the law. According to Mitchell, Massachusetts egg producers will not be able to fill the state's demand on their own because, on average, each resident eats one egg per day and each chicken lays one egg per day.

"We've got about 300,000 to 400,000 egg-laying chickens in Massachusetts. We've got about 7 million people, so do the math," Mitchell said.

In winter normally hens are not laying as many as 1 egg per day. In addition out of state eggs likely will have other markets and they may or may not be willing jump through the certification hoops.

[SCBrian]

<sarcasm>
*loads nondescript van with southern raised chicken eggs; turns north*
</sarcasm>
Why do individual states assume the markets will move to meet their arbitrary demands. 
Before you say it, california is a special case due to it's buying power...

[Anianna]

I'd be curious to see how much potential egg production is available that will meet the state's requirement as opposed to the demand within the state.

Sorry I thought I had included this link. By my math in state egg production is about ~ 6% of the demand.
https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-potential-egg-shortage-animal-welfare-law-impact-december-2021/38514384

Brad Mitchell, head of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau, told NewsCenter 5 that there will likely be some egg shortages and price hikes as a result of the law. According to Mitchell, Massachusetts egg producers will not be able to fill the state's demand on their own because, on average, each resident eats one egg per day and each chicken lays one egg per day.

"We've got about 300,000 to 400,000 egg-laying chickens in Massachusetts. We've got about 7 million people, so do the math," Mitchell said.

In winter normally hens are not laying as many as 1 egg per day. In addition out of state eggs likely will have other markets and they may or may not be willing jump through the certification hoops.

I mean, the industry standard for the country still falls within their bill so long as it's an apiary-style facility (1ft/bird plus vertical features), which a lot are now, so I don't see where the problem comes in.  Are there not enough apiary-style producers across the country to meet the demand?  It doesn't have to be limited to just those in Mass and the larger-than-industry-standard space requirement is only for facilities without vertical features (which I don't believe should exist anyway, chickens like to go up, which is just as important to their well-being as a reasonable space requirement).

ETA: It seems to me like this bill just pushes Mass producers to adopt the apiary style in order to remain competitive. 

[Raptor]

From what I read the existing law ignores the apiary verticle approach. The modified law if passed recognizes the apiary approach.

The existing law is the issue. As for retrofit there is likely not enough time before jan 1 2022 to do that.

The problem lies in the fact that the law was drafted by people without sufficient knowledge of the subject and a correction is needed or there won't be a lot of eggs on the shelf in the new year.

[RoneKiln]

Even if the law gets fixed, does it cover how to prove compliance? Is it feasible to prove compliance?

[sheddi]

Even if the law gets fixed, does it cover how to prove compliance? Is it feasible to prove compliance?

Different country, different rules, but the UK egg quality scheme seems to work well for us:
https://www.egginfo.co.uk/british-lion-eggs

Possibly a bit OTT for a single US state, but it shows that it's possible.

[Raptor]

Even if the law gets fixed, does it cover how to prove compliance? Is it feasible to prove compliance?

Not an expert here but I am familiar with chain of custody compliance. Most retailers have set sources of supply and suppliers. So when a product enters the stream of commerce the manufacturer or producer generally has to certify many things related to the products delivered. These typically require the producer to certify compliance with all applicable local, state & federal laws.

Food from what I understand is a bit more stringent. Things like organic produce that sells at a premium is an example. How do you know that that the organic produce in the bag is really organic and worth the extra 5% to 100% in cost? You really do not. You are relying upon the good faith and honestly of all involved. Yes it may have come from a farm that is certified organic but who certified it and did they comply the rules after the inspector left. How do you know they just did not go to a nearby farm buy their non-organic produce from them and bag it up?

This is a very long way of saying the law is likely unenforceable but rather can only be used as tool by people to cause problems for the non-complying egg producers. I seriously doubt that any state is going send an employee out of state (or even in state) to both measure the area of a farm and count the chickens to ensure compliance (both are needed for the calculation) when there is a paper document on file that says that farm is in compliance.

I would also note that many farm groups have their own regulatory groups to provide self inspection and regulation. In practice (at least in my area) that seems to work a lot better since everyone knows each other and no one wants to the be the person who runs a shop that is known for its poor quality.

Full disclosure I have chickens. I actually like chickens they can be nice outside yard pets.

I have an "aviary style" coop for night time and during the day the chickens run around on my property outside. The chickens freely go into the nest boxes and prefer the snug enclosures. I say this because the coop door is open during the day and they can go in and out as they please. They independently go back to the coop around dusk. The coop keeps them safe at night and they clearly understand that.

[EBuff75]

Every time I see the subject for this thread I can't help but think of the Ermahgerd meme. 
https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/ermahgerd/

[Raptor]

Every time I see the subject for this thread I can't help but think of the Ermahgerd meme. 
https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/ermahgerd/

Yes I agree...the other thing about this is that like many "issues" these days it is a self made problem.

[Anianna]

From what I read the existing law ignores the apiary verticle approach. The modified law if passed recognizes the apiary approach.

The existing law is the issue. As for retrofit there is likely not enough time before jan 1 2022 to do that.

The problem lies in the fact that the law was drafted by people without sufficient knowledge of the subject and a correction is needed or there won't be a lot of eggs on the shelf in the new year.

Oh, I see.  I misread it that the bill that was approved and will go into effect January was the one that approved 1ft/bird with vertical features or 1.5ft/bird with only floor space.

[SCBrian]

Even if the law gets fixed, does it cover how to prove compliance? Is it feasible to prove compliance?

Not an expert here but I am familiar with chain of custody compliance. Most retailers have set sources of supply and suppliers. So when a product enters the stream of commerce the manufacturer or producer generally has to certify many things related to the products delivered. These typically require the producer to certify compliance with all applicable local, state & federal laws.

Kinda an expert, but further down the chain. 
Follow me:
Company "A" is a major brand supplier of salad type stuff.   Company "A" does not own any farms.  Company "B" has a farm, and wants to sell lots of salad stuff, so they apply to do business with "A". Company "A" typically does a quick once over on the paperwork and may often send a rep (company or independent) out to make sure the stuff is legitimate.  Company "A" now has salad to sell.
That's what typically happens.  For it to happen and everything to be 'right'  you are relying on the good faith of Co "B" and the name brand protection of Co "A".   
Many times the USDA (Especially with animals) will do spot checks, make sure the flock/herd/etc are healthy and safe practices are being observed.  But I do not know if the USDA will cert 'organic', "farm raised", "Massaged by small greek women" etc.  Mostly those are industry groups, and some are sketchy. 
I've often opened cases that have been inspected by the USDA in spot checks...

IF MA wants to certify that their eggs meet certain conditions before sale, I would expect a hiring blitz on either inspectors, or people to review photos/applications of companies importing... unless it's just a pencil-whip sorts thing.   "Check here" if your chickens get...blah...blah...blah... "