NASHVILLE, March 2, 2012- Increased regulations on U.S. poultry and livestock sectors could increase input costs for farmers by 25 percent, according to a study sponsored by the soy checkoff.
United Soybean Board (USB) Domestic Marketing Chair Lewis Bainbridge said potential regulations would unnecessarily increase livestock and poultry producers’ input costs, on top of the record high prices for corn and soybean.
Bainbridge also said “unreasonable restrictions” on the poultry and livestock sectors would lead to increased costs at the supermarket.
The study specifically addressed potential regulations to require cage-free housing for laying hens. USB Chair Vanessa Kemmer said it would raise the cost of eggs from $1.68 to $2.10 per dozen, a total cost of $2.66 billion per year to U.S. consumers.
“We want to make sure consumers are aware of how this could affect them,” Kemmer said.
According to the soy-checkofff-funded study, increased regulations could drive up costs of production meat, milk and eggs by anywhere from 10 percent to 25 percent.
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