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Willingness to Accept to reduce animal welfare by removing the ban on caged eggs in California, Massachusetts, and Nevada

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  • Sakeni, Atiyeh
  • Penn, Jerrod
  • Hu, Wuyang
  • Lai, John

Abstract

A recent outbreak of avian influenza increased egg prices nationwide. One combating proposal to reducing the cost of eggs is to remove the ban on caged eggs. However, it would decrease the welfare of laying hens. We investigate Willingness to Accept (WTA), the level of savings required among consumers in California, Massachusetts, and Nevada to support the removal of the ban on caged eggs, potentially reducing animal welfare. We find the average WTA is $1.71, $1.76, and $1.85 (37.3%, 38.8%, and 37.7% of average prices) in California, Massachusetts, and Nevada, respectively. It implies that shoppers from these states need a substantial decrease in egg prices to support the removal of the ban. Based on industry cost estimates, this required level of savings exceeds expected cost savings to farmers resulted from using cages, suggesting that the ban on cage-free eggs should be maintained in all three states.

Suggested Citation

  • Sakeni, Atiyeh & Penn, Jerrod & Hu, Wuyang & Lai, John, 2025. "Willingness to Accept to reduce animal welfare by removing the ban on caged eggs in California, Massachusetts, and Nevada," 2025 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2025, Denver, CO 360846, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea25:360846
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.360846
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Allender, William J. & Richards, Timothy J., 2010. "Consumer Impact of Animal Welfare Regulation in the California Poultry Industry," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 35(3), pages 1-19, December.
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    4. Conner Mullally & Jayson L Lusk, 2018. "The Impact of Farm Animal Housing Restrictions on Egg Prices, Consumer Welfare, and Production in California," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 100(3), pages 649-669.
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    6. Inglehart, Ronald, 1971. "The Silent Revolution in Europe: Intergenerational Change in Post-Industrial Societies," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 65(4), pages 991-1017, December.
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