The aftermath of Proposition 2

Californians passed Proposition 2 on Tuesday, but the debate over egg prices hasn't completely died down.

For months, farmers in the Golden State contended that passage of the farm animal welfare measure, which is supposed to free about 20 million egg-laying hens of their tiny cages, would drive up egg prices -- or even drive them out of business.

Wednesday, the measure's proponents said that rise was unlikely, especially since the measure doesn't take effect until 2015. The head of the Humane Society of the U.S., which sponsored the campaign, said farmers would adjust to meet an increasing demand for eggs from cage-free birds. "For them to say 'we're all going out of business because we have to let the birds stretch their wings' is absurd," said Wayne Pacelle, the group's president.

In addition, California imports a third of the shelled eggs it consumes from out-of-state producers, which are not subject to the new regulations. A new study from the UC Davis Agricultural Issues Center said there would be no reason for a jump in the price of those eggs. 

But Ryan Armstrong, an egg farmer in Valley Center, Calif., predicted he would have to leave the state rather than convert to cage-free housing. "We haven't quite figured it out. We'll probably in the next month or so let some employees go and slim down our operations," Armstrong said Wednesday. "Our goal is probably not to stay in the egg business."

Times staff writers Carla Hall and Jerry Hirsch have the details in today's Business section.

--Alice Short

Photo: Associated Press

Comments

[Mike]

Well done, California! Farm animals should either be raised humanely, or not raised at all. There is no excuse to abuse farm animals, and "it costs too much" is not an acceptable answer under any circumstances.

[Des]

Really, does it matter if the price of eggs goes up some. It's about time we treat the animals who provide us with food, whether through the sacrifice of their own lives or producing dairy products, the respect due them all these years. I have no problem paying a little more if it means animals have better lives. And in the end, aren't happier animals tastier animals?

[Pam]

I was shocked that Prop. 2 was not endorsed by the L.A. Times. When several years ago, the Times fired their liberal writers, like Robert Scheer, I canceled my subscription (I'm not close to being as liberal as Scheer, but I like differing opinions and he's an interesting and articulate writer!). After the Times endorsed "No on 2", I knew I would never subscribe again. Shame on you! I'll gladly pay more to have animals treated humanely. What kind of people wouldn't? And why should we cater to them?

[Gina]

Of course egg farmers are going to whine about not being able to cut corners and cost anymore, at the animals' expense. That's what they've been saying all along, but CA voters have shown they don't agree cheapness and profit justify cruelty. Where's the news here?

[leeny dee]

too bad it doesn't take effect immediately... we should treat these people the way they treat the animals and put them in a little box with their knees by their ears for a few days and see how they like it..

[Dean]

The Times recommended a "No" vote on Prop 2... Shame on you!

[Clive]

Large egg farms will just move to neighboring states without "cage-free" legislation, or Mexico. Canada will sell you lots of cheap eggs, too. Prop. 2 will just outsource egg production.

[Chickenvideo]

Let's get chickens out of factories and into backyards where they belong!
Remember: "Wherever chickens are outlawed, only outlaws will have chickens!"

[karen pedersen]

Using the word "aftermath" - meaning period following a disaster - was ill-advised here, I think. Prop 2's passing is a great day for civilized and humane values, and will in no way spell the end of affordable eggs. Why should we feel entitled to food produced from immense and needless animal suffering?

[Chris]

Let's get chickens out of factories and into backyards where they belong!
Remember: "Wherever chickens are outlawed, only outlaws will have chickens!"

What a great statement.

I too have a small flock of chickens, and they have proven themselves to be a positive addition to my life. They lay delicious eggs that taste far better than the aged eggs at the supermarket. They eat worms, bugs and grubs from my garden, and aerate the soil with their scratching. They're also very peaceful to watch as they flock around me while I'm working in the yard. Finally, their dropping make a great, all-natural fertilizer for my gardens.

I too heartily recommend a small flock of chickens for anyone interested in this sort of thing.

Chris