LANSING, MI – State Senator Lana Theis has introduced legislation that, if passed, would repeal Michigan’s law requiring all eggs sold in the state to come from cage-free chickens.
In a statement regarding her legislation, The Senator, who represents portions of Livingston and Washtenaw Counties, claims that the current law unfairly burdens farmers while also raising egg prices in Michigan grocery stores.
Theis added that egg prices in the state have risen nearly 37% in the last year, with some cases costing $9 per dozen. She also acknowledges that bird flu has caused price increases, but mandating cage-free chickens has exacerbated the problem.
Michigan is one of only five states with laws requiring all chickens to be cage-free. According to experts, while these systems appear to promote animal welfare, they may inadvertently increase the risk of bird flu transmission.
The bill has been assigned Senate Bill 28 and will be formally read into the record on Tuesday, January 28th.