Massachusetts Upgrades Egg-Laying Hen Protections

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law an upgrade to the state’s ballot measure for egg-laying hens, mandating cage-free standards that improve the treatment of birds by requiring farms to provide areas for perching, scratching, dust bathing, and laying eggs in nesting areas.

Key Changes

The new legislation expands protections beyond whole eggs to include egg products like liquid eggs used in restaurants and university dining halls. It is estimated to save an additional two million chickens annually from cage confinement.

Background

In 2016, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot measure requiring sufficient space for veal calves, mother pigs, and egg-laying hens, banning the sale of products from non-compliant farms. Following this success, campaigns led to stronger protections in California (Proposition 12), Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah.

Delayed Pork Confinement Phase-Out

The new law temporarily permits pork producers to continue using current confinement practices for another seven and a half months, delaying a previously scheduled phase-out by January 1, 2022. Despite this delay, today’s victory represents a significant step forward for farm animalwelfare.

Partnership Recognition

The Humane Society of the United States thanks its Massachusetts coalition partners, including the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, and the Animal Legal Defense Fund, for their years of dedicated efforts.