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| Son, I say Son! Lissen up when I am talking! |
It is that old conundrum. Which comes first, the Chicken Law or the
Egg? So California is instituting a new law that puts some very
specific requirements on what type of eggs may be sold in their state
and some egg producers are crying “FOWL!” (Sorry couldn't
resist.) Essentially in an egg shell, the law says that the
feathered hen fruit producers have to be able to move around a bit
and lay down in their cages. Certain out of state egg producers are
extremely unhappy with this and are suing to have the law blocked.
The logic (and I use that word loosely) behind their arguments is
that is would cost them too much money to make the changes that CA is
asking for. Since a huge chunk of these cloistered eggs are sold in
California, they argue that it puts illegal restrictions on their
eggs. They shout that California is essentially prohibiting the
future sale of eggs because of the unfair requirements. In short,
they say that they will be prevented from selling their products in
California and “unfair advantage” will be given to California Egg
Producers.
Well, first off, no one is prohibiting anything or forcing anything.
The out of state egg producers are not being forced to make the
changes California wants. They are perfectly free to keep raising
eggs the way they always have without any interference. However, IF
they want to keep selling their products in California, then they
will have to make the changes required. They can sell the eggs some
place else if they'd like without any form of restrictions other
than...well whatever laws that state may have.
Secondly, the whole arguing that the law gives Callie Egg Growers an
unfair advantage seems a little silly. One can assume that if the
law governs all eggs, then California Egg Makers already follow the
requirements of the law or are in the process of following the law
since it doesn't actually take over till 2015. So IF California type
people are complying with the law, then it is only fair that other
states should have to as well.
I guess what it boils down to is States Rights. Every single state
in the Union has (With one or two notable exceptions) the right set
their own laws and regulations. California has the right to put into
place any laws that it wants about what can or cannot be done in
their state. They cannot put into place laws that say what other
states HAVE to do, but they are well within their rights to state
what conditions must be met for any products coming in the state. If
anything Missouri and any other state that jumps onto this lawsuit
are trying to infringe on California's states rights by saying Callie
can't decide what eggs are allowed to be sold.
As an ending note here, I want to say that I was very proud of
myself. Except for one or two, I avoided the dozen Egg/Chicken jokes
that popped into my head. For a rabid punster like meself that is
quite an achievement.
End of Rant
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