• The Trump administration has sued California over its animal welfare laws.
• The lawsuit claims that these laws are responsible for soaring egg prices nationwide.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta vow to defend the law.
• The complaint argues that federal law preempts state regulations on egg safety.
• The lawsuit follows a spike in egg prices linked to an avian flu outbreak affecting production.

The Trump administration has initiated a lawsuit against California regarding the state's stringent animal welfare laws, particularly those governing egg production, alleging that such regulations have significantly contributed to rising egg prices across the United States. This legal action, filed in Los Angeles federal court, claims that California's laws create “unnecessary red tape” that hampers agricultural productivity and drives costs up for consumers nationwide, according to Reuters, CBS News, Newsweek, and Los Angeles Times.

The lawsuit specifically targets California's Proposition 12, enacted in 2018, which mandates that hens be housed in conditions allowing them to move freely. According to the Department of Justice, these animal welfare measures conflict with the federal Egg Products Inspection Act of 1970, which the administration argues should override state laws regarding the production and inspection of eggs. “California has effectively prevented farmers across the country from utilizing agricultural practices that could keep eggs affordable," claims the Justice Department, as detailed by Reuters and CBS News.

California's Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have expressed their commitment to defending the state's regulations, attributing rising egg prices to broader economic challenges rather than state laws. “It is the President’s economic policies that have been destructive,” Bonta remarked, indicating their readiness to fight the lawsuit in court, according to Los Angeles Times and Newsweek.

Supporters of California's animal welfare laws, like the Humane Society, argue these measures protect hens from cruelty and prevent foodborne illnesses. However, the Trump administration contends that the regulations are shaped by activist perspectives rather than scientific evidence on animal welfare and consumer safety. This viewpoint is echoed by the arguments presented in the lawsuit, which assert that California's regulations “do not advance consumer welfare” and fail to reflect nationally accepted agricultural practices, according to CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and Newsweek.

Egg prices have spiked due to a combination of factors, primarily an avian flu outbreak that has led to the culling of millions of hens. Reports indicate that the average price of eggs rose significantly, with consumer prices averaging $4.55 per dozen, up from $2.69 a year prior. The Trump administration's lawsuit does not address the role of the avian flu epidemic in egg price fluctuations, which has been a significant factor in recent discussions about egg production economics, as reported by Reuters, CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and Newsweek.