LANSING — Who’d believe people would be smuggling weed into Wisconsin and eggs into Michigan in 2025? Such was the online discussion among U.P. and Wisconsin farmers. But who’s to blame for Michigan’s egg price disaster? It’s the all-too-common story of the best intentions mixed with making deals with the devil.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a supposed animal rights advocacy group with a controversial reputation, first pressured Michigan agriculture in 2009. They threatened a petition drive to ban standard farming practices. 

Under this duress, pork and egg producers agreed to new laws outlawing farrowing crates for pigs and small cages for hens. These changes, ostensibly aimed at improving animal welfare, arguably led to higher mortalities and the consolidation of hens into fewer, larger cages, each housing more birds. This forced many farms, especially small and medium ones, out of business, unable to adapt to the new, costly standards.

 The deal with the devil was struck, and it was only a matter of time before he asked for more. 

By 2019, Michigan’s egg production had become centralized with just eight farms controlling over 95% of state production — one of which housed over 10 million layers. Despite the agreement, HSUS issued new threats, targeted retailers, and demanded more changes. The Legislature passed another bill requiring so-called cage-free eggs and banning out-of-state eggs in five years. 

Legislators were told this was necessary to protect Michigan’s producers from HSUS’s threats and unfair competition from out-of-state; that farmers and retailers were asking for this; that it was a delay; and that it would enhance consumer health and safety — despite clear indicators of higher costs. 

The price tag of cage-free eggs was already a red flag, and with the bird flu and inflation, the situation is now untenable. Adding to the hypocrisy, the law is limited to eggs in shells, leaving liquid egg production unregulated — highlighting the arbitrary nature of these regulations.

Deals with the devil always come with a cost and never-ending demands. 

This situation should serve as a stark lesson on the dangers of catering to out-of-state, anti-farm production groups. It illustrates the folly of bowing to special interests that manipulate constitutional processes to push their agendas.

Lawmakers must take this opportunity to repeal these misguided laws that give activists a superficial victory but do little for actual animal welfare or consumer safety. Repealing these farcical laws would not only support farms of all sizes, but also ensure that consumers have access to diverse egg options and costs. At the very least, the clause prohibiting the importation of non-compliant eggs should be removed to restore consumer choice and competition. If the recent spate of activists and media claiming cage-free requirements aren’t raising the price is right, then let other eggs compete!

It’s time for Michigan to stand up for its farmers and consumers against out-of-state special interests that undermine accepted, normal, local agricultural practices, economic health, and affordable food.

— — —

Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, is a farmer who represents Michigan’s 38th District, including nearly all the Upper Peninsula.