made an energetic and motivating beginning to the Chairman's

Speakers, continuedsome of the top animal welfare and behavioral scientificexperts in the United States, made recommendations regardinghousing, beak trimming, molting, and handling andtransportation. These recommendations were thenimplemented as requirements of United Egg ProducersCertified Companies.Since being launched in 2002, the UEP Certified animalwelfare program has significantly changed the way eggs areproduced. The program specifically provides a way for U.S.egg farmers to assure retailers, foodservice professionals andconsumers that their eggs originate from farms that followresponsible, modern science-based production methods.Such methods include allowing enough space for hens to movecomfortably within their cages, assuring continuous access toclean drinking water, providing enough space for all hens toeat nutritious food at the same time and maintaining a steadyflow of fresh air throughout the cages.The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and DrugAdministration, and the Federal Trade Commission allapproved the “UEP Certified” logo, and the InternationalEgg Commission even encouraged other member countriesthroughout the world to model their own animal welfareprograms after that of the UEP. As further proof of theprogram’s credibility, the Food Marketing Institute and theNational Council of Chain Restaurants also endorsed theprogram’s guidelines.Yet while the egg industry has developed a responsible policyof undergoing independent audits to ensure full complianceand adhering to scientific standards, activist groups continuepressing their agenda of eliminating animal agriculturethrough both legislation and intimidation. The excessiveregulation proposed by activists, especially in regard to theway egg-laying flocks are housed, will severely damage theegg-producing industry.About 98 percent of eggs in the United States and 90 percentof eggs worldwide are produced in modern cage systems. Thistechnique was spurred by a movement after 1960 to protectthe health and welfare of egg-laying stock, as free-rangechickens developed higher mortality rates due to such causesas disease, predators, and freezing temperatures.And non-caged housing is significantly more costly. Accordingto the Weekly Retail Egg Feature Report published by USDA–AMSMarket News, nearly 17,000 retailers nationwide reportedOctober, 2007 that eggs from cage production sold for $1.34 adozen while cage-free barn eggs sold for $2.54 and organiceggs sold for $3.45.Our society will not give up eggs voluntarily, so activist groupshave developed such short term goals as eliminating cagesystems for housing hens in an effort to eliminate all animalagriculture. Yet until there is more conclusive researchconducted on the effects of each production technique, thebest option is to avoid excessive regulations that wouldundeservingly devastate the egg-producing industry, whichhas long practiced responsible, science-based production.Coca-cola offered tastes at the trade show.Alan Alden & Trig Solberg, Trig’s, share ideas fromthe Expo.Compare apples to apples with Indianapolis Fruit.Ruth Epping, Sentry Foods, volunteered at registration.Jerry Howard, Shazam, purchases a Big Cashraffle ticket.David Hervey, Miller, and Sherry Hersant and Dale Hanke,Hanke’s Supervalu, enjoy the Chairman’s Banquet.Innovation ExpoREVIEWThe team from Trig’s check out the trade show.Marty Arter, President of Affiliated Foods,connects with Berres Brothers at the trade show.Don Treichel, Klement’s, sponsored the SausageRacers.Herb Binkowsky, Professional Supply, takes careof you after the sale.Josh Tregoning & Jerry Maerz, Waste Management,explain the Recycle America program.Megan Mulroy & Ken Soens, Regent Products,showcase their full line of dollar items.2007 Fall Issue WISCONSIN GROCER 15