This journal article summarizes a meeting of the United Egg Producers held to discuss progress on the implementation of animal welfare guidelines which were developed by animal behaviorists and scientists, and have resulted in voluntary participation by producers covering 85% of the U.S. egg laying population.

The United Egg Producers (UEP, which represents 90% of U.S. egg producers) held a conference to discuss a scientifically based animal welfare program with executives from 40 of the major U.S. food service and grocery store companies. Hens representing 85% of production are cared for according to the terms of the United Egg Producers Certified animal welfare program.

According to Mark Oldenkamp, chairman of the animal welfare committee of the UEP, about 95% of all layers are housed in cage production systems today and have been genetically selected to perform in cage environments. An average hen lays about 440 eggs during a lifetime.

Animal welfare directives for the European Union were established in the 1990’s, instigated largely by animal rights activists, as opposed to scientists, says Oldenkamp. Consequently, U.S. producers began developing similar guidelines in the 1990’s, knowing that U.S. animal activists wanted the same. This led to UEP’s creation of an animal welfare scientific advisory committee of animal behaviorists and scientists to develop the U.S. guidelines. These guidelines were adopted by the UEP in 2000. Among the guidelines implemented:

• Increased cage space from 48 sq. In. Per bird to 67 sq. In. for white layers and 76 sq. In. For brown layers
• Non-feed withdrawal molts
• Reduction of ammonia levels in hen houses from 50 ppm to 25 ppm

This program is voluntary and requires an extensive amount of commitment, however, 85% of U.S. layers are enrolled and completely certified. This case study in UEP certification is used as an example of how science can be used to support animal husbandry and production practices, with less emotion.