Animal welfare advocates have joined together with the United Egg Producers to collaborate on proposed regulations to improve the conditions of 270 million egg-laying hens (The Maui News, June 3). And there is legislation moving its way through Congress as you read this.
Think about the consequences of this legislation. If the cost to enlarge 270 million chicken coups is just $50 each, that calculates out to $13.5 trillion. Just to make a vocal minority nonegg-eating animal advocates feel good about themselves. Who pays? Those in this economy who depend on eggs as inexpensive protein source suffer.
No surprise. UEP is made up of just five regional cooperatives that control 95 percent of the U.S. egg market. It is big business making a deal with big government to further secure its monopoly of the egg market, using its former animal advocate enemy's support. Costly regulations like these keep competition from entering the market.
Legislation would allow UEP to set the price of eggs to whatever it wants with the full support of government. Government will be able to regulate the backyard farmer and even those who produce eggs for their family.
The legislation, if successful, will create a wedge/precedent for animal advocates to further limit our production of animal protein sources through the courts. Are federal agents in your face outlawing your ability to feed your family the result?
A part-time Congress with term limits would eliminate this kind of waste.
Thomas Fairbanks
Wailuku
