Egg Farmers Launch New Website in Support of Legislation

ALPHARETTA, Ga., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Egg Producers announced today the launch of www.EggBill.com, an informational website promoting the passage of H.R. 3798, federal legislation that is needed and supported by egg farmers and the egg industry.  

The website provides information and updates to help legislators, consumers, foodservice executives and retailers learn more about the proposed legislation currently before Congress. The site features expanded sections that educate visitors on enriched colony housing, as well as congressional, agricultural, editorial, and scientific support for H.R. 3798, formerly known as the "Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012." The bill will create a uniform national standard for animal housing in the egg industry. The legislation already has more than 60 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and is expected to be introduced in the Senate soon.

"This user-friendly website presents the merits of the bill clearly and concisely," said Gene Gregory, president of the United Egg Producers. "When visitors get the facts, they will see that it just makes sense to support the legislation. That's why the Humane Society of the United States, the National Consumers League, Consumer Federation of America, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Avian Pathologists, American Humane Association and the overwhelming majority of American voters support the bill."

Federal legislation is a better alternative to the growing patchwork of state standards, Gregory added, and allows for continued interstate commerce of eggs that is critical to retailers, foodservice companies and consumers.   

www.EggBill.com features the following sections:

*What is an Enriched Cage? (http://www.eggbill.com/what-is-an-enriched-cage.html): This section explains the benefits of the enriched cage system, and features a slideshow of images of an enriched cage facility.

*Videos (http://www.eggbill.com/videos.html): Egg farmers explain why they support the legislation and show real enriched cages in action.

*Scientific Opinions (http://www.eggbill.com/scientific-opinions.html): This part of the website features scientific opinions in favor of the egg bill and enriched colony cages.

*FAQs (http://www.eggbill.com/faqs.html): From animal welfare changes to the impact on the cost of eggs, visitors can research frequently asked questions about the egg bill.  

*Supporting Organizations (http://www.eggbill.com/supporting-organizations.html): Visitors can see which agricultural groups, veterinary groups, consumer groups, animal protection groups and local humane societies support the legislation.

*Editorial Support (http://www.eggbill.com/editorial-support.html): Major national newspapers and small town papers alike have endorsed the egg bill. People visiting the page can see a list of editorial support for H.R. 3798.

*The Legislation (http://www.eggbill.com/the-legislation.html): This section provides visitors with the text of the egg bill. 

*Congressional Co-Sponsors (http://www.eggbill.com/congressional-co-sponsors.html): This section lists the co-sponsors of the bipartisan legislation by state and party.

About United Egg Producers

United Egg Producers (UEP) is a Capper-Volstead cooperative for U.S. egg farmers, representing the ownership of approximately 88 percent of the nation's egg-laying hens. UEP members produce eggs using various systems including modern cage production, enriched cages, cage-free, free range, organic and other specialty eggs. For more information about UEP, please go to unitedegg.org.

SOURCE The United Egg Producers