MA Could See Egg Shortage, Higher Prices Under New Law

BOSTON — A state lawmaker is warning Massachusetts residents can expect a "severe" egg shortage and higher prices for eggs when a new law goes into effect January 1.

The problem, according to state Senator Jason Lewis, a Democrat from Winchester, is Massachusetts farms produce just a fraction of the eggs purchased in the state. Most out-of-state producers will not comply with the new law, meaning most will not be able to import eggs to Massachusetts under the current version of the law.

"This is a case where things have changed around the country, and Massachusetts is now really out of step with the rest of the country," Lewis told Fox 25 News Boston. "When the law goes into effect on January 1st of next year, we will likely see a severe shortage of eggs. Also, prices will go up."

The law requires each hen to get 1.5-square-feet of space, up from the industry standard of one foot. In 2016, 77 percent of Massachusetts voters cast ballots in favor of the new rules.

Lewis supported the measure when it was on the 2016 ballot. He has filed an amendment clarifying the rules. That bill has passed the state Senate and is now being considered in the House of Representatives. While Lewis says his change "fully meets the intent of the voter-passed referendum," some animal rights groups disagree.

For more on this story, see Fox 25 News Boston.