The 2021 victories for farmed animals have already begun.

Today, Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed S.B. 147 into law, banning the cruel cage confinement for egg-laying hens! With more than five million hens raised for egg production every year in the state, this law will eliminate unimaginable suffering associated with one of the worst-of-the-worst factory farming practices.

Specifically, this legislation—which will go into effect January 2025—includes the following important protections for egg-laying hens:

1. Requires all egg-laying hens are housed in cage-free systems;
2. Sets minimum floor space standards to give birds more room to roam;
3. Mandates the use of species-important enrichments that allow for normal natural behaviors, such as perching, nesting, and dustbathing; and
4. And requires all farms that produce eggs in Utah be inspected and certified as compliant with these new standards.

With eight states now banning the cruel caging of egg-laying hens, retailers and restaurants have all the more incentive to keep their promises to the American public and transition to a 100% cage-free egg supply.

Special thank you to the advocates and legislators in Utah who achieved this milestone for farmed animals. We look forward to the many additional victories 2021 is sure to bring!