BOSTON — Massachusetts is in the middle of a food fight right now. It’s about implementing Question 3 from 2016 which outlined more humane measures for egg-laying hens.
Two eggs sunny side up could have a cloudy future here, according to State Senator Jason Lewis, a Democrat from Winchester. “When the law goes into effect on January 1st of next year, we will likely see a severe shortage of eggs. Also, prices will go up.”
Senator Lewis is talking about Question 3 which voters approved five years ago but is scheduled to be implemented next year.
The problem is where we get most of our eggs from.
“We do produce some eggs in our state,” said Lewis. “But overall, they supply only a fraction of the total eggs that are consumed in Massachusetts. We import most of the eggs that are consumed here.”
The law requires that each hen get 1.5 square feet of space in any facility. That was up from one square foot.
“This is a case where things have changed around the country, and Massachusetts is now really out of step with the rest of the country,’ added Lewis.
Most out-of-state commercial egg facilities now have multiple levels so they can give hens the added space inside the same building explained Lewis.
A supporter of Question 3 at the time, Lewis filed legislation to amend the law to recognize this change in industry standards. It passed the Senate and is now moving onto the House.
“I’m 100% confident that this bill fully meets the intent of the voter-passed referendum,” said Lewis.
But some animal rights activists are crying foul. They have taken out full-page ads in newspapers, calling this effort a ‘Rotten Egg Bill”.
“Factory farming is all about stocking density,” said Bradley Miller of the Director of the Humane Farming Association. “The more animals you have crammed into any given space. It increases animal suffering. It increases the need for antibiotics and other drugs.”
Question 3 passed by a big margin. 77% of the voters in Massachusetts supported it. Advocates say voters knew what this was about, and that their voices should be heard.
“To cut back on that standard is a gross betrayal of voters and utterly cruel to farm animals,” said Miller. “Big egg has turned into Chicken Little, claiming the sky is falling and if you give hens a little more space, all of a sudden it’s going to be the end of the industry.”
Some animal rights groups that supported Question 3 are now supporting Senator Lewis’ bill.
Miller isn’t interested in a compromise. “Question 3 must be implemented as it was specifically spelled out with how much space these hens need and deserve. If the egg industry wants to change that, then they should go back to the voters and make their case.”
Miller tells Boston 25 News if the substitute law is passed and signed by Governor Baker, his group will work to get the referendum back on the ballot in 2022 with the goal of preserving Question 3 as it was originally written.