UDS Advisory Board votes for cage-free eggs!

Normally the UDS Advisory Board meetings have between five and ten people, but due to the concern among students about this issue, around fifty people attended this meeting. The meeting began with a short statement by UDS. Following this, Josh Balk of the Humane Society of the United States gave a persuasive presentation promoting the switch to cage-free eggs. Then Jacqueline Jacob, professor of Animal Science at the UofM, presented her case for battery cage eggs.

It was not until the question-and-answer period that it became overwhelmingly clear that the majority of students there were in support of cage-free eggs. Balk, Jacob, and two cage-free egg suppliers fielded multiple questions on animal welfare and the ethical issues surrounding egg production, showing the concerns students had for the treatment of the chickens.

Despite the student support, it was by no means clear that board would vote in favor of cage-free eggs. Of the fifty students there, only eight had the power to vote. After the Q&A, these eight students discussed the issues among themselves, occasionally asking questions of Balk and Jacob. At times it didn't look good, but when it finally came down to a vote the hens came out victorious.

Unfortunately this is not the final victory. Despite losing on their own turf, where they set all the rules, UDS is still not convinced that students are in support of this. This issue will likely go to the Residence Hall Association. If you live in the res halls, the most important thing you can do now is to contact members of your hall council to express your support for cage-free eggs in UDS. This may be essential for making UDS finally listen to the will of the students and switching to cage-free eggs.