Senator Dianne Feinstein, (D-CA) has proposed an amendment to the farm bill that would mandate federal housing protocols for egg-laying hens.
The proposed amendment to the farm bill mirrors S. 3239, which Feinstein introduced, and the companion bill in the House, H.R. 3798. The legislation is more commonly called the “Egg Bill,” but technically is named the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012. The amendment and the bills are based on an agreement between the Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers that would set housing standards for egg-laying hens. The conditions of the agreement set a self-imposed deadline of June 30, 2012.
Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Scott Brown (R-MA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), David Vitter (R-LA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) sponsored Feinstein’s original bill and joined in presenting the amendment. As reported by The Hill newspaper, others supporting the amendment are Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), John Kerry (D-MA), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
