In California, I recently priced an 18-pack of extra-large eggs more than $15 at the local commissary, a place where groceries are typically discounted compared to traditional grocery stores. These 18-packs of extra-large eggs were the only options available that day as the other shelves had been cleared out. Similarly, when I ventured to another grocery store to check out their egg supply, the egg section was marked with black and yellow caution tape and a sign that noted there was a purchasing limit of only two cartons per person. The egg shortage and sky-high prices are real.

In 2018, California passed Proposition 12, which impacted the way farmers and ranchers raise and care for their animals on the farm. This included forcing egg farmers into cage-free housing systems, as well as establishing minimum spacing requirements for veal farmers, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens. This initiative was widely lobbied for by animal rights groups, including Humane World for Animals (formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States), Mercy for Animals, The Humane League, and more.

California wasn’t the only state to pass animal housing mandates, though. In states like Arizona and Colorado, animal rights groups were threatening similar ballot measures. As a compromise, the states ended up passing their own legislation and regulations to ward off more strict requirements that would have been included in a ballot campaign.

Not only are these animal housing mandates adding to the cost of production for farmers and ranchers, but they are also raising prices in the grocery store and limiting supply of products. Lawmakers in several states have introduced legislation this year to delay implementation of these requirements — or reverse them altogether — to help alleviate some of these pain points.

In Nevada, the Department of Agriculture temporarily suspended the state’s cage-free retail requirements. In Arizona, cage-free requirements were set to begin in 2025 but have now been delayed until 2026, and a bill is seeking to repeal the requirements altogether. Michigan is considering similar legislation, while Colorado’s bill to repeal cage-free requirements failed.

Animal rights groups that lobbied mercilessly for these requirements are not happy about the potential roll backs. Humane World for Animals has already threatened a ballot measure if the state repeals the earlier regulations.

Although, this current issue may be specific to eggs, other areas of animal agriculture could be affected in the future. It’s a stark reminder of the outcome of animal rights groups’ activism, which in turn drives up the cost for livestock and poultry growers to stay in business, and raises the price of animal products in the grocery store. The Animal Agriculture Alliance will continue to monitor and shine a spotlight on the true intentions of these groups and their pressure campaign tactics to force change. To learn more, visit www.animalagalliance.org/initiatives/monitoring-activism.