US: UEP’s resolve firm despite Farm Bill failure

The United Egg Producers (UEP) have vowed to continue to lead the egg industry forward after the farm bill failed on the House floor by a vote of 195-234

“Our industry has a major responsibility in providing an affordable, healthy food to 300 million American consumers every day in this country,” said David Lathem, a Georgia egg farmer and chairman of UEP. “It is not an easy task, and it is one which all of our farmers and industry take very seriously. While we were disappointed that our egg amendment was not in the bill that failed in the House, we will press forward and hope that our bill is in whatever farm bill that passes the House”

Chad Gregory, UEP president, added “We are very hopeful that we can get the vote on our bill that we have been denied thus far in the legislative process. We know that legislating a national standard for egg production is not popular with some other farm groups. But the vast majority of our board of directors supported it as the best alternative to a patchwork of conflicting state laws. UEP has always been a leader – whether in animal welfare standards, food safety standards, or environmental and sustainability practices. Leaders don’t always win popularity contests; but they fight for what they believe is right; they stand on principle; that’s what we have always done, and that’s what we are doing here.”

“I believe the next decade will show that what we stand for, and the broad coalition of support that we generated for it, is the way of the future. We think that the principled and practical way that we have tried to resolve the problems in our industry is the way forward for American agriculture. We firmly believe that farmers must try to accommodate their customers and provide what consumers want. We remain committed to helping our farmers and our industry find the best way to continue serving our customers and the nation’s egg consumers this incredible food product every day, efficiently and affordably,” Gregory said.

UEP also expressed their gratitude to the bill sponsors Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Representatives Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) along with all of the co-sponsors.

Source: United Egg Producers