The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit last week against the State of California regarding regulations impacting egg and poultry production alleging the violation of the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution. The complaint challenges the laws and regulations of the State of California which impose requirements on farmers preventing them from “using commonly accepted agricultural methods that helped keep eggs affordable,” according to the Department of Justice.
The Department of Justice alleges these laws oppose the Egg Products Inspection Act which preempts state laws that impose additional regulatory hurdles.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “Americans across the country have suffered the consequences of liberal policies causing massive inflation for everyday items like eggs. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will use the full extent of federal law to ensure that American families are free from oppressive regulatory burdens and restore American prosperity.”
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued a statement saying, “California has gone rogue and caused real harm to consumers under its cage-free egg commitments. By not allowing consumer choice, Californian’s are forced to buy more expensive eggs. California’s actions under Proposition 12 fly in the face of Federal jurisdiction and regulation over food production and safety under the Egg Products Inspection Act. It is one thing if California passes laws that affects its own State, it is another when those laws affect other States in violation of the U.S. Constitution. Thankfully, President Trump is standing up against this overreach.”
Dale Sandlin with Southeast AgNet