ATLANTA, Ga. — Are consumers being forced to pay higher food prices? Are their food choices in jeopardy? That’s exactly what could happen if animal rights groups have their way. Led by a vegan agenda, groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) target food groups, universities, foodservice and retailers, spreading misinformation and touting junk science in an effort to eliminate all food derived from animal production including milk, meat, cheese and eggs. United Egg Producers (UEP), representing most U.S. egg companies, believes in consumer choice and many of the United Egg Producers Certified companies produce at least some of their eggs in cage-free or organic systems. United Egg Producers does not believe consumers should be misled by animal activist agendas or their choices taken away by these agendas. Price is still an important component in many consumers’ decisions on food purchases. USDA publishes a Weekly Retail Shell Egg Feature Report gathered from 17,000 retail stores across the country. Differences in egg prices can be found in this report. For example, the week of June 22, 2007 eggs from cage production sold for 95 cents per dozen while cage-free barn eggs sold for $2.29 and organic eggs sold for $3.37.

Consumers who decide to make their food choices and purchases based solely on myth-information from animal activists should think twice and then check the facts… science-based facts.

In the egg industry the hens come first. That’s why United Egg Producers developed the “United Egg Producers Certified” program for cage egg production… the most comprehensive and progressive animal care program in the U.S. This program was developed out of guidelines established by an independent advisory committee of some of the top animal welfare scientific experts in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission have approved the UEP Certified logo and the International Egg Commission has recognized the program as a model from which to create animal welfare programs in other member countries throughout the world. In addition, the Food Marketing Institute and the National Council of Chain Restaurants also endorsed these guidelines. Hens raised in modern cage system are protected from predators, severe weather, diseases and soil-borne diseases. The United Egg Producers Certified program for cage production provides assurance that hens receive adequate space, nutritious food, clean water, proper lighting, and fresh air daily as well as improves the flock’s livability and egg production rates. The cage system allows farm caretakers to visually inspect each hen each day and has virtually eliminated the need to administer medicine or drugs. Modern cage systems provide for better optimum bird health and welfare.

U.S. egg farmers care about treating their hens properly and protecting them from disease and injury. United Egg Producers Certified farmers must implement the guidelines on 100% of all their production farms and are audited for 100% compliance by the USDA and the independent firm Validus. The United Egg Producers Certified program standards are the strictest in the industry and are part of our ongoing commitment to providing American consumers the safest, high quality and most economical eggs in the world.

Visit www.uepcertified.com to learn more about the Egg Industry and the UEP Certified program.