In response to high prices and shortages of eggs on grocery store shelves, lawmakers in Nevada last week rolled back a 2021 law mandating that all eggs sold in the state must come from cage-free hens. The bill allowing state officials to temporarily suspend the 2021 law was passed unanimously by Nevada’s state legislature and signed by the governor. 

Egg prices are rising all across the country due to a widespread  highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak that has affected poultry farms. 

Laws like Nevada’s cage-free requirement cause further complications by limiting choices of consumers and making eggs more expensive at the grocery store because cage-free systems have higher production costs than conventional housing systems. 

State and federal laws shouldn’t diminish the availability or affordability of food based on ideology over scientifically-based standards.

There is no significant difference in nutrition between cage-free and conventional eggs, reports Dr. Darrin Karcher, Extension poultry scientist for Purdue University. All eggs are a good source of protein, vitamin A and vitamin D. 

Furthermore, cage-free and conventional barns can both provide humane housing for hens, Karcher says. A study by the Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply found that each system had tradeoffs for animal welfare.  

Karcher said consumers shouldn’t feel guilty about buying the kind of eggs that fit their budget. 

As Nevada found out, laws that take away that freedom are a bad idea.