University decision
UD will continue dining hall practices, not move forward with cage-free eggs
9:37 a.m., April 13, 2012--After dialogue with campus constituents and a thorough review of the issue, the University of Delaware has decided to continue with its current practices and not move forward with cage-free eggs in dining halls.
In considering the issue, UD officials have been in contact with representatives of the Vegetarian Students Association, which originally requested the change to cage-free eggs, and with both the Student Government Association and the Resident Student Association to solicit student feedback.
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SGA represents the undergraduate student population and RSA represents students living in UD residence halls, a large percentage of whom have campus dining plans. In recent action, both the SGA and RSA voted against a change to cage-free eggs.
UD will offer cage-free eggs for purchase by students in the POD Market, located on the Laird Campus.
Cost is a significant factor in the dining hall decision, according to David Singleton, UD vice president for facilities and auxiliary services. Analysis by UD Dining Services has shown that it would cost about an additional $100,000 annually to serve cage-free eggs exclusively on the University campus.
Changing to a cage-free egg provider would result in either an increase in dining rates charged to students or a reduction of dining program offerings.
Eggs currently used at UD comply with all government and industry standards and bear the United Egg Producers certification, Singleton said. The UEP certification program provides assurances that hens receive adequate space, nutritious food, clean water, proper lighting and fresh air daily.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission have approved the UEP certification and the International Egg Commission has recognized the program as a model from which to create animal welfare programs in other member nations throughout the world.
There currently is no standard legal definition of cage-free eggs. Federal legislation (House Resolution 3798, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments) has been introduced in an effort to balance the interests of both egg producers and animal welfare advocacy groups. The act would phase in improvements and has the support of UEP, the Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other animal welfare groups.