Nevada issues temporary order allowing the sale of non-cage-free eggs

SPARKS – The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) State Quarantine Officer Director J.J. Goicoechea, DVM, has temporarily suspended Nevada’s cage-free egg law. Beginning Feb. 20, eggs for retail sale can be sourced from any egg producer meeting food-safety guidelines, regardless of whether the eggs originated from hens in a cage-free housing system. This order was issued to address the strain on egg supplies and high egg prices in Nevada.

“Eggs are typically the most cost-effective protein source for food insecure populations,” said Goicoechea. “When families can’t find eggs on the shelf, and when they do the prices are not attainable, this can leave them without an essential food they depend on.”

In 2021, Nevada passed cage-free egg regulations requiring all eggs sold in Nevada to be sourced from cage-free hens. “Cage-free” is defined as eggs from hens in an enclosure in which they are unrestricted and free to roam, with a total space of at least one square foot per hen in the enclosure. As highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to impact the poultry industry, particularly cage-free egg producers, the supply of cage-free eggs has been significantly reduced.

During the current 83rd Legislative Session, Assembly Bill 171 was passed and signed allowing for the temporary suspension of cage-free regulations for up to 120 days in emergencies. Goicoechea issued the order, beginning the 120-day period on Feb. 20. This order also allows for the sale of “Grade B” quality eggs. These eggs must meet all of the food safety requirements of “Grade A” eggs, but may have different colors, shapes and sizes.

“This egg shortage didn’t happen overnight, and we cannot resolve it overnight,” said Goicoechea. “We anticipate roughly 30 days before we can secure new contracts and start to see increased egg supplies on the shelf, and hopefully lower prices as availability increases.”The NDA’s mission is to preserve, protect and promote Nevada’s agriculture. The department has 225 dedicated employees providing services in its five divisions, Administrative Services, Animal Industry, Measurement Standards, Food and Nutrition, and Plant Health and Compliance. The department’s $288 million budget facilitates regulatory and administrative work in agriculture and food manufacturing industries, protecting public and environmental health and worker safety, and providing food distribution and oversight for the United States Department of Agriculture’s school and community nutrition programs.