Farm advocacy group requests investigation into potential price fixing by major egg producers.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit this month against the state of California for its 2018 state law requiring all poultry and egg producers to adhere to larger cage requirements to have their products sold within the state.
“The laws and regulations challenged by the complaint impose costly requirements on farmers that have the effect of raising egg prices for American consumers by prohibiting farmers across the country from using commonly accepted agricultural methods that helped keep eggs affordable,” the Justice Department stated. “These laws stand opposed to the Egg Products Inspection Act, which sets standards to ensure eggs and egg products are properly labeled and packaged and preempts state laws that impose additional regulatory hurdles.”
The government’s response to the H5N1 bird flu under President Biden’s administration in 2022 drastically reduced the number of egg-laying chickens, which led to shortages across the industry. In July 2024, a University of Arkansas study found that accounting for the loss in flock numbers should have only increased the price of eggs by 12-24 percent, and the price of eggs had instead increased by over 61 percent in that year alone. In February 2025, the farmer-led advocacy organization Farm Action wrote a formal letter to President Trump’s administration asking that its agencies open an investigation into possible price fixing between the five major egg producers, which control 46 percent of the American egg industry.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta pledged to defend the state law mandating larger hen cages in court proceedings.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Attorney General Pam Bondi to be led by the Lord as she heads the Justice Department.
- For wisdom for U.S. officials as they assess the control of major food producers over consumer prices.
- For state officials to ensure their enacted legislation is in harmony with federal regulations and laws.
Sources: Department of Justice, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, Townhall
