Nevada takes unprecedented action to address soaring egg prices amid avian flu outbreak.
And it seems to be working!
At a Glance
- Nevada temporarily suspends cage-free egg law due to rising prices
- Avian flu outbreak has led to the slaughter of nearly 159 million birds since 2022
- Egg prices have surged to nearly $5 per dozen
- Bipartisan legislation allows for temporary suspension during supply chain disruptions
- Impacts expected to be seen in grocery stores within 30 days
Nevada Takes Action on Egg Crisis
In a move designed to address skyrocketing egg prices as quickly as possible, Nevada has become the first state to temporarily suspend its cage-free egg law. Governor Joe Lombardo signed bipartisan legislation allowing for the suspension of the law during national supply chain disruptions for up to 120 days. This decision comes as egg prices have soared to nearly $5 per dozen, largely due to a devastating bird flu outbreak that has ravaged the poultry industry.
The avian flu outbreak has led to the slaughter of nearly 159 million birds since 2022, significantly tightening the egg supply. This crisis has not only affected traditional egg farms but has also impacted cage-free operations, exacerbating the shortage and driving up prices across the board.
Assembly Bill 171, sponsored by Democrats Steve Yeager and Howard Watts, passed unanimously in the Legislature before being signed into law by Republican Governor Lombardo. This rare display of bipartisan cooperation underscores the severity of the egg crisis and its impact on Nevada families.
“One of the things that was not foreseen at that time was this major animal disease outbreak,” Democratic Assemblymember Howard Watts III said.
The legislation allows for two temporary suspensions per year and requires a 14-day public notice before the suspension ends. It also considers authorizing the sale of grade B eggs and limiting egg purchases by state agencies, further demonstrating the comprehensive approach to addressing the crisis.
Expected Impact and Challenges
While the suspension of the cage-free egg law is expected to provide some relief, experts caution that the impact may be limited. The cage-free egg supply is already constrained, with only 121 million of 304 million laying hens being cage-free. Additionally, long-term contracts with restaurants and food service companies maintain strong demand for cage-free eggs.
“We anticipate 30 days before we can see an impact at the grocery stores,” Ciara Ressel said.
Governor Lombardo, while supporting the temporary measure, has called for a permanent repeal of the cage-free law.
“This bipartisan legislation represents how effective the Legislature can be when they work together,” the Governor stated, adding that he hopes to “permanently lower these costs and remove harmful, California-inspired legislation once and for all.”
Nevada’s decision to suspend its cage-free egg law stands in contrast to other states with similar legislation. California and Massachusetts, for instance, are not considering suspensions of their cage-free laws.
Whether it’s right or not…it’s working.
