The U.S. Department of Justice recently filed a lawsuit against California, alleging that the state’s animal welfare laws have led to an increase in egg prices nationwide by imposing unnecessary regulations on production, which the department deems unconstitutional.
The Trump administration’s lawsuit argues that California’s regulations on the treatment of egg-laying hens have restricted farmers from using certain agricultural methods that were previously widespread and helped keep egg prices affordable.
The suit contends that these laws should be invalidated because the federal government already regulates the egg industry through the Egg Products Inspection Act of 1970, which ensures the quality and proper labeling of eggs for consumer protection.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the lawsuit names Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and the state itself as defendants, targeting specific laws such as Proposition 2, Proposition 12, and legislation from 2010 that dictate how hens producing eggs should be treated.
California’s laws, including those from ballot measures and past legislation, have set standards for the treatment and space requirements of egg-laying hens, veal calves, and pregnant pigs, leading to increased costs for egg producers and consumers.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins criticized California for its cage-free egg commitments, which she believes have raised egg prices and harmed consumers. The state’s attorney general’s office has rebutted the lawsuit, blaming the economic policies of the Trump administration for any negative impacts on consumers.
Despite recent fluctuations, egg prices have shown an overall increase, with a significant rise compared to the previous year, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.