2023-07-28 16:53:49
Recently, egg racks in American supermarkets have seen a very significant change. Instead of eggs from caged chickens, eggs from free-range chickens have been placed here. This points to a major change resulting from the fight against caged farming. However, this progressive change is expected to be reversed by the new bill proposed by members of the Republican Party (GOP) in the US Congress.
The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, introduced by Senator Roger Marshall and Republican Ashley Hinson, prevents state and other local governments from importing agricultural products from other states. Vox reports that the current ambiguity in the bill could have far-reaching consequences, jeopardizing decades of progress in animal welfare efforts and putting state and local laws at risk.
A ‘cage-free’ movement
About 40 percent of chicken eggs sold in the US come from cage-free chickens. That means the movement for cage-free eggs is gaining momentum, according to Vox’s report. Eight states have already banned eggs from caged hens. It is being implemented by some states in the case of pigs and calves as part of an effort to end animal cruelty.
Caged Chickens – What’s Wrong?
The principle put forward is that when chickens are raised in cages, they do not get enough freedom. The torture and cruel treatment of chickens has been criticized for a long time. Chickens are raised in cramped, company-lined cages. Chickens have a very narrow space inside the coop. When this happens, the chickens are unable to perform any physical activities such as spreading their wings or covering themselves in the ground. It also creates mental distress in chickens. Their muscles and bones become weak as they cannot walk freely inside the cage.
Most of them go through a very painful condition. A lack of exercise can lead to conditions like osteoporosis. Overcrowding and unstable environment can affect the health of chickens. In such situations, they are more likely to catch infectious diseases and die prematurely. There is also a possibility that chickens raised in cages will bite each other. Hence a portion of the chickens’ lips are cut off and the chickens are put to a lot of trouble. Such actions increase the mental stress of chickens and make them aggressive.
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They may sometimes exhibit unusual behaviors such as plucking feathers and gorging on companion chickens. In the egg industry, roosters are often killed at an early age because they are not economically viable.With increasing awareness of such issues, the demand for eggs from free-range chickens has increased. In recent years, the demand for eggs from chickens raised in an animal-friendly environment, free from cages, has increased.
Eat’s Law
The Eats Act, proposed by GOP members, prohibits state and local governments from setting standards for agricultural products brought in from other states. This could jeopardize the progress made so far in animal welfare. The bill’s broad and vague provisions are expected to have far-reaching implications for existing laws.
If the Eats Act goes into effect, it could blow away cage-free laws. It is also expected to affect other laws, such as bans on the sale of foie gras (fatty liver) in California and New York City. It is expected to affect nearly 1,000 state and local laws that govern not only caged animals, but also agricultural sectors that contain timber, meat and other crops.
Legal challenges
Proponents of the Eats Act aim to roll back cage-free laws, but also aim to repeal laws that help farmers, improve food safety, and prevent infectious diseases. The EATS Act has a large amount of support from those involved in the pork industry. They are asking for an exemption to California’s cage-free law.
Objections are mounting
Independent farmers, animal welfare advocates, and state and local governments all oppose the EATS Act. They fear that this bill will be included in the agriculture bill. They also think it poses a significant threat to farming practices and animal welfare.
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