J. S. West & Companies Announces New Proposition 2 Compliant Housing for California Hens
Sep 15, 2009
MODESTO
PRNewswire
J.S. West & Company today announced that they will build the first commercial egg production facility after Californians voted to pass Proposition 2. The announcement coincides with J.S.
West's 100th year anniversary in business.
The new system will be built in Merced County and will feature an "enriched colony system" for egg-laying hens. This system of housing hens has been in place in Europe for more than 10 years and serves as home for millions of UK and European laying hens. The company says the system will satisfy and enhance Proposition 2 requirements for improving animal welfare, incorporating perches, scratch areas, claw shortening mats and privacy areas for hens to lay their eggs. "California voters made it clear that they wanted to give hens more room and we have risen to that challenge and delivered a solution," said Eric Benson, President of J.S. West & Companies.
Housing will be constructed for more than 150,000 birds, which represents approximately 8% of the company's total hen population, and will cost more than $3.2 million. The project is projected to be complete in June of 2010. "This project represents a substantial investment for our family and, frankly, a serious financial risk since our state still hasn't adopted standards to clarify the vaguely written Proposition 2," said Benson. "We felt now was the time to show Sacramento, the industry and animal welfare interests how a post-Proposition 2 facility might look. We are under serious time constraints, with only 4 1/2 years to decide the future of California egg production and we
need to move the dialogue forward."
"We hope that the construction of this facility will spur continued debate and encourage the Governor, legislators, rule-makers and other participants to provide clear guidance and specific standards so that this kind of investment can continue and the egg industry can stay in California," added Benson. "I believe that J.S. West has taken a bold step and shown a firm commitment to
improve animal welfare for egg production in California. This new effort will set an example of how consumer desires and modern animal husbandry practices can go together. Moving forward, we need to provide clear guidance on the implementation of Proposition 2 so other California companies can follow their lead," said Jeff Denham, State Senator from the 12th District.
In a recent letter, Congressman Dennis Cardoza of the California 18th district said, "I am pleased that J. S. West is investing in this next generation agricultural facility in my district. It appears that once again, California's Central Valley is at the forefront of agricultural innovation and efficiency.
I hope this sets an example for the entire egg industry."
Greg J. Cutler DVM, MPVM, DIP and ACPV of Cutler Associates International said, "Enriched Colony systems are widely regarded as humane by many agencies including the European Union. The Enriched Colony appears to be a system which is more chicken friendly than other systems in that birds are healthier and safer in these systems. In particular disease exposure is substantially
reduced in these systems." "I want to commend J. S. West on taking the initiative to be the first
producer, in I believe the entire nation, to install one of the enriched colony systems, which are incorporated in the existing researched and approved European Union standards. This is a great leadership position to take and I believe that it will demonstrate to the entire U.S. egg industry that this type of technology is the future," said Arnie Reibli, President of the Association of California Egg Producers.
J.S. West is a 100 year old family farming business based in Modesto California. The company employs more than 285 people in central California and is a leader in the communities where they serve more than 20,000 customers and sell more than 100,000 dozen eggs per day.
SOURCE J.S. West & Company
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS204474+15-Sep-2009+PRN20090915
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