Egg Farmers Team up with Feeding America to Feed Nation's Hungry During Easter
ALPHARETTA, Ga., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- America's egg farmers are lending a helping hand to their local communities this Easter by teaming up with Feeding America to donate 12 million eggs to food banks across the country. The eggs donations will span approximately 90 cities in 33 states leading up to Easter on April 4.
According to a 2009 report on food insecurity from the United States Department of Agriculture, the number of Americans at risk of hunger is a staggering one in six, with an increase from 2007 to 2008 of 13 million people. The number of children at risk of hunger is now an alarming one in four. Feeding America is annually providing food to 37 million Americans, including 14 million children. Fresh items, such as eggs, are always a prized item for food banks due to their dense nutritional and high protein content.
"Many of our clients are having to decide between food and other basic necessities, such as paying the rent or a utility bill," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "Receiving the gift of eggs, which have always been an important staple in the American diet, is a tremendous help at this time of year."
This marks the third year in a row United Egg Producers and Feeding America, the nation's food bank network, are teaming up to help ensure America's food banks are well stocked with nutrient-dense eggs. The nationwide partnership will help feed the nearly 49 million men, women and children in America who are at risk of hunger. Read More
Farmers and ranchers have always put a high value on being active in their communities. Part of that commitment is supporting local food banks. Egg farmers from across the country are once again donating to help those who struggle to put food on their tables. With 49 million people in the United States in danger of being hungry, the last thing we need are food elitists lobbying for reduced production and higher food prices.
Showing posts with label United Egg Producers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label United Egg Producers. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Get Active To Protect America's Food
Agricultural experts: Get active to protect and produce America’s food
By: Gretchen Schlosser, West Central Tribune
WILLMAR, MN — “Don’t let what happened to us happen to you.” The words of a German farmer could well be a foretelling of the demise of American animal agriculture and of food safety and security in this country.
Those words were spoken more than 10 years ago but should be taken seriously , according to Chad Gregory, senior vice president of the United Egg Producers, who spoke Friday at the 2010 Strategic Animal Ag Conference in Willmar.
“Just look at Europe,” Gregory said. “They are literally getting to the point where they can’t feed themselves.”
Ten years ago, Europe exported more beef than anyone in the world. Germany’s egg industry was a shining star, with the latest technology.
Now due to restrictions brought about by activists, Gregory says, Europe is the largest importer of beef and 65 percent of the eggs German citizens eat are imported.
Gregory and the UEP stand at the forefront of the battle, between farmers using modern production practices to produce 95 percent of the country’s egg supply and animal rights activists like the Humane Society of the United States, who Gregory says just want to make money off animal welfare issues.
The HSUS is the force behind the California ban on keeping laying hens in cages and gestating sows in crates and behind efforts in many states to change or eliminate modern animal agriculture and U.S.-based food production, Gregory said.
Those efforts have enormous ramifications for all of agriculture and for consumers of food. “If you want your food produced in the U.S., you better get active,” Gregory said. Read More
Many times, our country is told by the Humane Society of the United States and others to look at what Europe is doing as an example of where we need to be with our food production policies. The problem is that they only talk about what they have changed, and not what the consequences of those decisions have been. While Europe is now living with those consequences, they have yet to be seen in states like California where voters have passed laws that restrict the ability of family farmers to produce food. The good news is that it’s not too late to stop this. If farmers and ranchers get active in sharing the accurate story of production agriculture, we can save this country from falling into the same trap Europe did.
By: Gretchen Schlosser, West Central Tribune
WILLMAR, MN — “Don’t let what happened to us happen to you.” The words of a German farmer could well be a foretelling of the demise of American animal agriculture and of food safety and security in this country.
Those words were spoken more than 10 years ago but should be taken seriously , according to Chad Gregory, senior vice president of the United Egg Producers, who spoke Friday at the 2010 Strategic Animal Ag Conference in Willmar.
“Just look at Europe,” Gregory said. “They are literally getting to the point where they can’t feed themselves.”
Ten years ago, Europe exported more beef than anyone in the world. Germany’s egg industry was a shining star, with the latest technology.
Now due to restrictions brought about by activists, Gregory says, Europe is the largest importer of beef and 65 percent of the eggs German citizens eat are imported.
Gregory and the UEP stand at the forefront of the battle, between farmers using modern production practices to produce 95 percent of the country’s egg supply and animal rights activists like the Humane Society of the United States, who Gregory says just want to make money off animal welfare issues.
The HSUS is the force behind the California ban on keeping laying hens in cages and gestating sows in crates and behind efforts in many states to change or eliminate modern animal agriculture and U.S.-based food production, Gregory said.
Those efforts have enormous ramifications for all of agriculture and for consumers of food. “If you want your food produced in the U.S., you better get active,” Gregory said. Read More
Many times, our country is told by the Humane Society of the United States and others to look at what Europe is doing as an example of where we need to be with our food production policies. The problem is that they only talk about what they have changed, and not what the consequences of those decisions have been. While Europe is now living with those consequences, they have yet to be seen in states like California where voters have passed laws that restrict the ability of family farmers to produce food. The good news is that it’s not too late to stop this. If farmers and ranchers get active in sharing the accurate story of production agriculture, we can save this country from falling into the same trap Europe did.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Undercover Hatchery Video
Video shows chicks ground up alive at egg hatchery
By FREDERIC J. FROMMER (AP) – 20 hours ago
WASHINGTON — An animal rights group is calling on the nation's largest grocery story chains to post warnings on egg cartons that unwanted male chicks are ground up alive, after videotaping the common industry practice at an Iowa egg hatchery.
In letters sent to the companies this week, Chicago-based Mercy for Animals says its undercover videotape at Hy-Line North America's hatchery in Spencer, Iowa, "exposes one of the industry's best kept secrets — that the egg industry tears male chicks' bodies apart in grinding machines while they are still alive."
The group wants the chains to include a label on egg cartons that says, "Warning: Male chicks are ground-up alive by the egg industry." The letters were sent to 50 chains, including Walmart, Whole Foods, Safeway, Harris Teeter and Trader Joe's.
"The violence that you will see is standard and acceptable within the egg industry, and consumers have a right to know about this cruelty so that they can make informed and compassionate purchasing decisions," wrote Mercy for Animals' executive director, Nathan Runkle.
A spokesman for United Egg Producers, a trade group for U.S. egg farmers, called the proposal "almost a joke." Spokesman Mitch Head said Mercy for Animals had no credible authority, as well as questionable motives. "This is a group which espouses no egg consumption by anyone — so that is clearly their motive." The video does in fact end with a call for people to adopt a vegan diet, which eliminates all animal products — meat, eggs or dairy. Read More
Even though it’s not a pretty process, the euthanization process that is featured in the undercover video has been approved by veterinarians and scientists alike. But there is a bigger issue here. When a company hires someone and trains them in their handling policies, they expect that employee will do their job. So when they hire one of these undercover animal rights activists and they are more concerned about getting video footage rather than their job, things might go wrong. The video shows some chicks that fell off the conveyor belt, but if the undercover worker wasn’t doing the job he was hired for, then it might have been his fault. The other issue is that this group isn’t calling for any type of change in handling practices, they are calling for everyone to become vegans. That is their main goal, the elimination of animals from our lives. If you look at this video through that perspective, then their “investigation” doesn’t hold much water.
By FREDERIC J. FROMMER (AP) – 20 hours ago
WASHINGTON — An animal rights group is calling on the nation's largest grocery story chains to post warnings on egg cartons that unwanted male chicks are ground up alive, after videotaping the common industry practice at an Iowa egg hatchery.
In letters sent to the companies this week, Chicago-based Mercy for Animals says its undercover videotape at Hy-Line North America's hatchery in Spencer, Iowa, "exposes one of the industry's best kept secrets — that the egg industry tears male chicks' bodies apart in grinding machines while they are still alive."
The group wants the chains to include a label on egg cartons that says, "Warning: Male chicks are ground-up alive by the egg industry." The letters were sent to 50 chains, including Walmart, Whole Foods, Safeway, Harris Teeter and Trader Joe's.
"The violence that you will see is standard and acceptable within the egg industry, and consumers have a right to know about this cruelty so that they can make informed and compassionate purchasing decisions," wrote Mercy for Animals' executive director, Nathan Runkle.
A spokesman for United Egg Producers, a trade group for U.S. egg farmers, called the proposal "almost a joke." Spokesman Mitch Head said Mercy for Animals had no credible authority, as well as questionable motives. "This is a group which espouses no egg consumption by anyone — so that is clearly their motive." The video does in fact end with a call for people to adopt a vegan diet, which eliminates all animal products — meat, eggs or dairy. Read More
Even though it’s not a pretty process, the euthanization process that is featured in the undercover video has been approved by veterinarians and scientists alike. But there is a bigger issue here. When a company hires someone and trains them in their handling policies, they expect that employee will do their job. So when they hire one of these undercover animal rights activists and they are more concerned about getting video footage rather than their job, things might go wrong. The video shows some chicks that fell off the conveyor belt, but if the undercover worker wasn’t doing the job he was hired for, then it might have been his fault. The other issue is that this group isn’t calling for any type of change in handling practices, they are calling for everyone to become vegans. That is their main goal, the elimination of animals from our lives. If you look at this video through that perspective, then their “investigation” doesn’t hold much water.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Prop 2's Legacy
Prop 2 fuels 'freight train'
Emboldened by a victory in California, activists likely will increase their attacks on U.S. livestock and poultry producers.
(3/27/2009)
Rod Smith
THE industrial activism movement "is coming at us like a freight train," affects all of livestock and poultry production, affects states with and without ballot initiatives and likely will win additional restrictions on the way livestock and poultry are grown, according to Chad Gregory, senior vice president of the United Egg Producers.
Gregory, speaking to the "Simmering Issues Workshop" at the Midwest Poultry Federation's annual convention this month in St. Paul, Minn., discussed the aftermath of passage of the California ballot initiative on farm animal handling last year and "what's next."
He said next will be even harder attacks on dairy, meat and poultry producers by industrial activist groups like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which has become emboldened by its victory in bringing the initiative to the ballot and securing its passage.
Prop 2 becomes effective in 2015 and will force all egg production in California into cage-free housing despite negative effects on bird welfare, food safety and egg prices. For all practical purposes, according to economists and egg industry leaders, almost all egg producers in California -- including second-, third- and fourth-generation producers -- will be forced to close their farms, and California consumers will become dependent on eggs from other states, if not other countries.
Agricultural economist Don Bell, speaking to another convention session, said animal husbandry and welfare should be based on ethics and science, and regulations governing how livestock and poultry are handled, if needed, should come through legislation, not "emotionally charged ballot initiatives."
He said California consumers will be similarly dependent on eggs from non-California sources, although a bill introduced in the California Assembly could make that a moot point because state supermarkets would be prohibited from importing and selling eggs from any source that does not conform to Prop 2, whether in the state or in other states.
The bill, Assembly Bill 1437, applies to shell eggs from layers and other chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys or guinea hens, although it does not apply to liquid or powder eggs, according to its sponsor, Jared Huffman (D., sixth district). Read More
If you want to know what attacks American agriculture is going to come under from animal rights activists, we need simply look across the pond to Europe. You will also see the difficulty they are having feeding everyone as well. Egg producers are trying to figure out how to deal with this as much as anyone right now. However, we will all be in the same boat if we don't get active in this fight. If our food production suffers because of these efforts nothing less than our national security will be in jeopardy. After all the years of progress and innovation in this country, it would be a sad legacy to leave a hungry country to our children.
Emboldened by a victory in California, activists likely will increase their attacks on U.S. livestock and poultry producers.
(3/27/2009)
Rod Smith
THE industrial activism movement "is coming at us like a freight train," affects all of livestock and poultry production, affects states with and without ballot initiatives and likely will win additional restrictions on the way livestock and poultry are grown, according to Chad Gregory, senior vice president of the United Egg Producers.
Gregory, speaking to the "Simmering Issues Workshop" at the Midwest Poultry Federation's annual convention this month in St. Paul, Minn., discussed the aftermath of passage of the California ballot initiative on farm animal handling last year and "what's next."
He said next will be even harder attacks on dairy, meat and poultry producers by industrial activist groups like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which has become emboldened by its victory in bringing the initiative to the ballot and securing its passage.
Prop 2 becomes effective in 2015 and will force all egg production in California into cage-free housing despite negative effects on bird welfare, food safety and egg prices. For all practical purposes, according to economists and egg industry leaders, almost all egg producers in California -- including second-, third- and fourth-generation producers -- will be forced to close their farms, and California consumers will become dependent on eggs from other states, if not other countries.
Agricultural economist Don Bell, speaking to another convention session, said animal husbandry and welfare should be based on ethics and science, and regulations governing how livestock and poultry are handled, if needed, should come through legislation, not "emotionally charged ballot initiatives."
He said California consumers will be similarly dependent on eggs from non-California sources, although a bill introduced in the California Assembly could make that a moot point because state supermarkets would be prohibited from importing and selling eggs from any source that does not conform to Prop 2, whether in the state or in other states.
The bill, Assembly Bill 1437, applies to shell eggs from layers and other chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys or guinea hens, although it does not apply to liquid or powder eggs, according to its sponsor, Jared Huffman (D., sixth district). Read More
If you want to know what attacks American agriculture is going to come under from animal rights activists, we need simply look across the pond to Europe. You will also see the difficulty they are having feeding everyone as well. Egg producers are trying to figure out how to deal with this as much as anyone right now. However, we will all be in the same boat if we don't get active in this fight. If our food production suffers because of these efforts nothing less than our national security will be in jeopardy. After all the years of progress and innovation in this country, it would be a sad legacy to leave a hungry country to our children.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Humane Society or Lawsuit Society?
Prop. 2 backers wield lawsuits as weapon
Humane Society says egg board illegally used check-off dollars
Hank Shaw Capital Press
The campaign in favor of Proposition 2 is turning heads among veterans of California's ballot initiative process because it has been unusually litigious.
The "yes" campaign has filed at least five separate lawsuits against its opponents this year.
"I've seen lawsuits before, but not this many," said Barbara O'Connor, a professor of political communications at Sacramento State University. "It's unusual for a proposition."
The Humane Society began the slew of lawsuits by charging that the United Egg Board was illegally using check-off money - normally used for advertising and promotion - to fight Prop. 2. They have won at least the first round in that suit.
It then followed with a series of other suits:
HSUS sued the University of California over a study it did that suggested that passage of Prop. 2 would end conventional egg production and cost jobs. The group said the university did not give them documents concerning the funding of that study in a timely manner.
• The group sued a French Camp egg rancher for allegedly discharging ammonia into the air, creating a nuisance and violating clean-air laws.
• The group sued a San Diego County egg producer for similar pollution-related charges shortly after he became active in the "no" campaign. Humane Society staffer Jennifer Fearing, who is running the "yes" campaign, told the New York Times, "He put a bull's-eye on himself."
• HSUS sued the United Egg Board again, this time for allegedly making false claims about the welfare of conventionally raised chickens. Read More
HSUS has 13 full time lawyers in their organization along with over 1,000 pro bono attorneys across the United States, this organization has been built to file lawsuits and draft legislation to abolish animal agriculture in this country. However, as producers we have something that their $130 million dollar budget can’t touch, and that is our amazing story of food production in this country. Be proud of what you do and share that with our consumers.
Humane Society says egg board illegally used check-off dollars
Hank Shaw Capital Press
The campaign in favor of Proposition 2 is turning heads among veterans of California's ballot initiative process because it has been unusually litigious.
The "yes" campaign has filed at least five separate lawsuits against its opponents this year.
"I've seen lawsuits before, but not this many," said Barbara O'Connor, a professor of political communications at Sacramento State University. "It's unusual for a proposition."
The Humane Society began the slew of lawsuits by charging that the United Egg Board was illegally using check-off money - normally used for advertising and promotion - to fight Prop. 2. They have won at least the first round in that suit.
It then followed with a series of other suits:
HSUS sued the University of California over a study it did that suggested that passage of Prop. 2 would end conventional egg production and cost jobs. The group said the university did not give them documents concerning the funding of that study in a timely manner.
• The group sued a French Camp egg rancher for allegedly discharging ammonia into the air, creating a nuisance and violating clean-air laws.
• The group sued a San Diego County egg producer for similar pollution-related charges shortly after he became active in the "no" campaign. Humane Society staffer Jennifer Fearing, who is running the "yes" campaign, told the New York Times, "He put a bull's-eye on himself."
• HSUS sued the United Egg Board again, this time for allegedly making false claims about the welfare of conventionally raised chickens. Read More
HSUS has 13 full time lawyers in their organization along with over 1,000 pro bono attorneys across the United States, this organization has been built to file lawsuits and draft legislation to abolish animal agriculture in this country. However, as producers we have something that their $130 million dollar budget can’t touch, and that is our amazing story of food production in this country. Be proud of what you do and share that with our consumers.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Another Newspaper Says No to Prop 2
Farmers would bear the brunt of Proposition 2
Monday, October 6, 2008 The Record Searchlight, Redding, CA
Our view: The initiative would drive farms out of state while doing little for animals.
Now here's a bit of scrambled thinking.
In countering industry assertions that Proposition 2 would raise grocery costs, the measure's proponents argue that its limit on the caging of hens will not raise prices - because after the law shuts down California's largest egg farms, the state will simply import most of its eggs.
In other words, the chickens will be no better off. They'll just be mistreated in Iowa or Arizona instead of in California.
Choosing to eat mindfully is one thing. Driving legitimate businesses out of the state is quite another. The Humane Society says egg production is a tiny fraction of the state's ag sector, but that's little consolation for the egg farmers facing banishment. Read More
Add another to the growing list of newspapers in California that are urging their readers to vote against Prop 2.
Monday, October 6, 2008 The Record Searchlight, Redding, CA
Our view: The initiative would drive farms out of state while doing little for animals.
Now here's a bit of scrambled thinking.
In countering industry assertions that Proposition 2 would raise grocery costs, the measure's proponents argue that its limit on the caging of hens will not raise prices - because after the law shuts down California's largest egg farms, the state will simply import most of its eggs.
In other words, the chickens will be no better off. They'll just be mistreated in Iowa or Arizona instead of in California.
Choosing to eat mindfully is one thing. Driving legitimate businesses out of the state is quite another. The Humane Society says egg production is a tiny fraction of the state's ag sector, but that's little consolation for the egg farmers facing banishment. Read More
Add another to the growing list of newspapers in California that are urging their readers to vote against Prop 2.
HSUS Playing Dirty?
UEP files requests alleging HSUS secretly taped calls
(10/6/2008)
The United Egg Producers (UEP) filed requests today with the district attorneys in Montgomery, Md., and Sacramento County, Cal., alleging that an employee of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) "impersonated an egg industry ally" and illegally taped telephone conversations with a UEP staff member by not advising the staff member that the conversations were being recorded and that HSUS then used the illegally recorded information to support a California political campaign.
UEP's filings maintain that the calls were made from a phone in Maryland, where recording phone calls without permission of all involved parties is illegal, and that the information obtained in the calls then was disclosed to a former HSUS operative in California, where it is illegal to disclose information that's the consequence of illegally recorded phone calls.
The information was used to further the HSUS-led ballot initiative on farm animal housing, known as Proposition 2, or "Prop 2," according to the filings. The former HSUS operative is the spokesperson for the group supporting Prop 2.
Prop 2 would make almost all egg production in California illegal.
HSUS, in a statement, said UEP, which represents almost all U.S. egg producers, was "playing fast and loose with the facts," noting that the information was obtained through unrecorded phone calls and in the organization's own newsletter. Link
HSUS is apparently starting to really feel the heat as the election draws near. Several newspapers in California have come out in opposition to Prop 2 as well as many different organizations across the state. I don’t believe they have ever seen opposition like this before to one of their propositions and, if these allegations are true, it seems to have them a bit flustered.
(10/6/2008)
The United Egg Producers (UEP) filed requests today with the district attorneys in Montgomery, Md., and Sacramento County, Cal., alleging that an employee of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) "impersonated an egg industry ally" and illegally taped telephone conversations with a UEP staff member by not advising the staff member that the conversations were being recorded and that HSUS then used the illegally recorded information to support a California political campaign.
UEP's filings maintain that the calls were made from a phone in Maryland, where recording phone calls without permission of all involved parties is illegal, and that the information obtained in the calls then was disclosed to a former HSUS operative in California, where it is illegal to disclose information that's the consequence of illegally recorded phone calls.
The information was used to further the HSUS-led ballot initiative on farm animal housing, known as Proposition 2, or "Prop 2," according to the filings. The former HSUS operative is the spokesperson for the group supporting Prop 2.
Prop 2 would make almost all egg production in California illegal.
HSUS, in a statement, said UEP, which represents almost all U.S. egg producers, was "playing fast and loose with the facts," noting that the information was obtained through unrecorded phone calls and in the organization's own newsletter. Link
HSUS is apparently starting to really feel the heat as the election draws near. Several newspapers in California have come out in opposition to Prop 2 as well as many different organizations across the state. I don’t believe they have ever seen opposition like this before to one of their propositions and, if these allegations are true, it seems to have them a bit flustered.
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