By Chuck Muth, Nevada News and Views, February 22, 2025
A group of Nevada business leaders is calling on state lawmakers to permanently repeal burdensome regulations that have driven up the cost of eggs for consumers and small businesses.
Brett Sutton, Board President of Keystone Corporation, recently sent a letter (see below) to Nevada’s legislative leaders applauding the suspension of Assembly Bill 399, a 2021 law that required all eggs sold in the state to be “cage-free.”
The law mandated that hens be given at least one square foot of roaming space per enclosure.
While this might sound nice in theory, in practice, it led to fewer eggs on the market and higher prices for hardworking Nevadans.
In his letter, Sutton praised lawmakers for passing Assembly Bill 171, which temporarily lifts the cage-free requirement.
But he says the suspension doesn’t go far enough. He wants the repeal to be permanent, arguing that the law was unnecessary and harmful to consumers.
“The suspension proves that the existing Cage-Free regulation is unnecessary and bad for the Nevada consumer, particularly those with limited financial means or on a modest fixed income,” Sutton wrote.
Many Nevadans have felt the pinch of rising grocery costs in recent years, and eggs are no exception.
The cost of eggs has soared nationwide due to inflation, supply chain disruptions, and avian flu outbreaks.
Cage-free mandates only make the problem worse, critics say, by limiting supply and forcing farmers to spend more on compliance.
Small businesses, especially restaurants, have been hit especially hard.
“Many Nevada restaurants operating on thin margins are also struggling with the high cost of eggs,” Sutton noted.
Cage-free regulations were passed in multiple states due to pressure from animal rights groups, but they come at a steep price.
Farmers have to retrofit or rebuild facilities to comply with the rules, which costs millions of dollars. Those costs are then passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.
Nevada isn’t alone in reconsidering these policies. Other states have also faced backlash over similar laws.
In California, where a similar cage-free egg law took effect, egg prices jumped nearly 30% in one year. Many low-income families simply can’t afford these added costs.
Of course, not everyone agrees with Keystone’s position.
Animal welfare activists argue that cage-free environments are more humane and improve the health of hens. They say that even though prices may rise, it’s a necessary step toward ethical food production.
But critics of the mandate say consumers should be able to make that choice for themselves.
“Those Nevadans who want Cage-Free eggs and are willing to pay the additional cost may do so,” Sutton wrote. “Those who for whatever reason decide they do not want to pay the additional cost may purchase other eggs that remain perfectly safe and healthy but at a lower cost.”
This debate boils down to a key question: Should the government force consumers to pay higher prices in the name of animal welfare, or should people have the freedom to choose?
Keystone Corporation believes the answer is clear: Let the market decide.
The group is urging Nevada lawmakers to take further action and fully repeal AB 399 before the suspension expires.
Keystone is also calling on state leaders to cut other unnecessary regulations that drive up costs, including rules on food, energy, and transportation.
With inflation still hitting families hard, it’s time to rethink policies that make life even more expensive.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
