Arizona Department of Agriculture
New Egg Regulations and Rules
Beginning October 1st, 2009, the Arizona Dept of Agriculture will begin enforcement of new rules affecting the egg industry. Starting on that date, all eggs from caged hens from flocks of 20,000 birds or more will be required to be produced under poultry husbandry standards.
After October 1st, it will be illegal to sell eggs in Arizona from flocks subject to the new rules and regulations in Arizona. Arizona has adopted the 2008 United Egg Producer (UEP) standards for animal care for commercial laying hens. Eggs from caged layers subject to the new rules must be produced either under UEP standards, or from other animal care programs for laying hens, which are either equal or superior to the UEP standards.
Eggs offered for sale in Arizona, which do not meet either the UEP guidelines or are from an alternate animal care program substantially equal to the UEP program will be removed from sale for non-compliance.
The Arizona Department of Agriculture will review all alternative animal care programs for egg laying hens which produce eggs for the Arizona market. This standard will apply to all laying hens producing eggs for the Arizona market, that are from flocks of 20,000 or more birds. Smaller flocks and laying hens which are not raised in cages are exempt from these new rules.
This standard will apply to all eggs being sold in Arizona, regardless of whether they are produced in Arizona, or in another state. Additionally, new sanitary standards for egg processing, including approving use of chemicals used in egg processing, will become effective on the same date.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POULTRY HUSBANDRY REQUIREMENTS IN ARIZONA FOR CAGED LAYING HENS:
Dart Easterday – Phoenix Office (602) 542-0884 deasterday@azda.gov
Roger Ames – Tucson Office (520) 399-5659 rames@azda.gov
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AZDA.GOV WEBSITE LINKS...
For more detailed information - poultry husbandry fact sheet
To see a copy of the UEP Animal Care guidelines - uep-animal-welfare-guidelines.pdf
To go to the - United Egg Producers UEP Certified website
To see a copy of the facility standards which will apply to Arizona processors who wash and grade their eggs - COPY OF 7CFR PART 56
Arizona Administrative Register.pdf