Michigan senator introduces bill to repeal cage-free egg law as price of eggs continues to rise
(CBS DETROIT) - As the price of eggs continues to climb, one state lawmaker has introduced legislation that would repeal Michigan's new law requiring all eggs sold to be cage-free.
Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, said bird flu is the primary reason the price of eggs has skyrocketed.
"Here in Michigan we've lost 6.5 million hens, more than 16% of the national total," said Theis.
Theis added that Michigan's new cage-free egg mandate isn't helping reduce costs.
"While these systems aim to improve animal welfare, they also increase the risk of bird flu spreading among the flocks and making egg production even more expensive. Those added costs are passed directly to you, the consumer, at the grocery store."
She has introduced legislation that would repeal the cage-free egg law.
"This legislation won't fix egg prices overnight, but it will remove unnecessary regulations, giving our farmers the flexibility they need to rebuild their flocks and stabilize their egg supply."
Egg prices are on the rise
The average price of a dozen large, grade-A eggs rose to $4.15 in December, up 14% from $3.65 in November, according to federal data. For comparison, consumers were paying $1.19 for the same carton in 2019, CBS News' price tracker reports.
The USDA recently predicted that egg prices would shoot up another 20% this year.
Furthermore, H5N1 is being watched by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a potential public health threat.